









Che Library 
of the 


Cniversity of Morth Carolina 


Endowed by Che Dialectic 


and 


Philanthropic Socicties 


SITe9I 
K 59 





| SITY OF N.C. AT CHAP 


WA 


00024475863 







































































This BOOK may be kept out TWO WEEKS 
ONLY, and is subject to a fine of FIVE 
CENTS a day thereafter. It was taken out on 
the day indicated below: 

















TA FLAG FOR CUBA 


PeNesKELCHES OF A RECENT TRIP ACROSS 
RierGere OFaMEXICOCTO) FALE 
ISEAND QF CUBA 


BY 


ADELAIDE ROSALIND KIRCHNER 


IME MAUS TIKAN MIB IO) 
WITH SNAP-SHOT VIEWS 


NEW YORK 


THE MERSHON COMPANY ~~ 


PUBLISHERS 


UNIVERGITY LIBRARY 
UMENERGITY OF NORTH CAROLINA 
AT CHAPEL HILL 





COPYRIGHT, 1897, 
BY 
ADELAIDE KIRCHNER DUTTON. 


le 


THE MERSHON COMPANY PRESS, 
RAHWAY, N. J. 


CONT BINS: 


AvTHOR’s Note 
’ 


LetTrers En Roure to Cusa, 


LETTERS FROM Havana, ‘ : ; ‘ : 


A PARTING VIEw, 


THE IsLAND oF CuBa, 


Pee) os] 


EARLY SETTLEMENT, 

THE LOPEZ AND Critv?tENDEN EXPEDITION, 

THE ‘“ ViRGINIUS ” MAssACcrE, 

THE CASE OF THE ‘‘ COMPETITOR,” AND TREATY 
RIGHTS, ; 

THE Tren YEARS’ War, 

THE NATIVES, 

NAWNIGOs, THE OUTLAWS OF CUBA, 

THE PRESENT STRUGGLE, AND METHODS OF War, 

THE SPANISH ARMY IN CUBA, 

THE CUBAN ARMY, 

CONSUL GENERAL FirzHuGH LEE, 

THE NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENTS, 


SPAIN’s DOMINATION, : , 4 : é 


1 


103 


107 


Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2022 with funding from 
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 


https://archive.org/details/flagforcubapenskOOkirc 


ist ORO LEEUSTRATIONS: 


Tur Fortress oF Morro CASTLE, AT THE ENTRANCE 
TO THE HarBor OF HAVANA, 

THe HricHts or LA CapaANa, ADJOINING Morro 
CASTLE; : , ; - 

Tur Famous BANYAN TREE, Key WEs?7, FLA., 

A PatM-SHADED HomE IN Kry WEST?T, 

Just Berore Dawn, Havana Bay, 

THE OLp STone-STEP LANDING, HAVANA, 

In tHE OLp BusINEss QUARTER, HAVANA, 

CountRY FREIGHT TRAINS, . 

ALONG THE SUBURBS OF HAVANA, 

THE OLD CATHEDRAL, HAVANA, 

Cotumsus MemoriAL CHAPEL, HAVANA, 

Tur CApraiIN GENERAL’S WINTER PALACE, HAVANA, 
—GENERAL WEYLER ENTERING, 

Dr. Burcess, Untrep STaTEs SANITARY INSPECTOR AT 
HAVANA, 

FAREWELL TO CUBA, 

Map or THE Wesv Inp1A ISLANDs, 

Cocoanut PALMS, : : : . 

SPANISH Coa'tr OF ARMS, ; : : 


Tospacco PLANTATION, 


PAGE 


(3 
S 


61 


66 
69 
75 
8I 
85 


a 


/ 


vi DES TOO he PEL CO SUL LMELON SS. 


PAGE 
A LIGHTER WITH CARGO, ‘ : ; ’ ; : gl 
Tue Custom House at THE LANDING, HAvaNna, PaO 
IN THE VICINITY OF THE COLUMBUS MEMORIAL, See OFF 


SPANISH SOLDIERS AT THE MAIN BARRACKS IN HAVANA,  Iog 


THREE SPANISH MEN-oF-WaAR, HARBoR OF HAVANA, 


BEFORE SUNRISE, , : : : : alas 
A RESIDENT AVENUE IN HAVANA, ; ; ; ee 20 
‘THE THREE FRIENDS,” : ; : : pes! 
A PassENGER Boat, HAVANA Bay, : 2 : SI 20 
CALLE OBISPO, THE PRINCIPAL SHOPPING STREET IN 

HAVANA, AP tie : : s 2 : ee RLSS 
A PINEAPPLE FIELD, 139 
LEADING TO THE CIty GATES, HAVANA, , ; - 145 
ENTRANCE TO ‘THE CAPTAIN GENERAL'S SUMMER 

PaLace, HAVANA SUBURBS, : ; A : wees 
A Native Fruir CARRIER, ! : : ; eG 
CHES WOmH RIB NDS. os: : ; 3 L : 1G. 


THe GATES TO THE CITY OF HAVANA, F : eeeelOy 


Oe UE ORE Se IN.© TE. 


SYMPATHY opens the door of all hearts ; 
it awakens interest ; interest begets a desire 
for knowledge. 

Two months ago I visited Havana, Cuba, 
armed with my usual traveling companions 
—a notebook and a kodak, with not the 
slightest intention of exhibiting the contents 
of either to any but my circle of friends, 
who always expect full accounts of my 
wanderings. 

Hearing on all sides discussions of Cuba's 
fate, her present and past wars, with 
many references to incidents and facts 
which I never knew, or which had escaped 
my memory, I satisfied the questions in my 
own mind by poring over page after page 
of her history since her discovery by 
Columbus up to the present strife ; through 
all her unsuccessful struggles in the past 


Vil 


Vill AUTHOR S: NOTE, 


against Spanish tyranny and oppression. 
This resulted in my making the following 
sketch of my garnered information, to help 
those who had not time for research to an 
understanding of the present conditions in 
the once luxuriant, but now the ill-starred, 
Cuba, Queen of Islands. 

very true-spirited American is in sym- 
pathy with oppressed Cuba, and anxious 
for this last struggle against Spanish rule 
to end in victory. 

For over two years this insurrection has 
continued ; the island is seared and blighted 
from the torch, and its ashes are wet with 
martyrs’ blood. The insurgents are fight- 
ing with the powerful spirit of true convic- 
tion right eipemichtewandatheimniottous, 
liberty or death! 

The fate of Cuba is the topic of the day 
and hour; American sympathy stretches 
across the short eighty miles of water 
which separates her from Florida; she 
looks to us for help because long years ago 
we suffered and won, though at the sacrifice 
of countless lives. 

Are the heights of liberty built only upon 


AUTHOR SINOTE: ix 


the bodies of wounded, dying, and dead ? 
Is civilization only a mocking name ? 

The atrocious cruelties of the Spanish 
toward such innocent victims as the unpro- 
tected women and children are enough to 
excite national interference for humanity’s 
sake alone. 

Let interference come! let strife cease! 
empeacemrcion! let freedom: rule! That 
glorious freedom which unbars the gates 
of darkness, breaks the galling chains 
of serfdom, lifts the yoke of bondage, and 
brings streneth to life, hope to the heart, 
faith to the soul, peace and prosperity to 
the warring, devasted lands, and is the 
searchlight of progress. 

It is said that Maximo Gomez, the grand 
old general of the Insurgent Army of Cuba, 
wears over his heart a silken flag of Cuba 
libre which is not to be unfurled until it 
floats over Morro Castle. 

I gazed upon that picturesque old 
fortress of Morro Castle, commanding the 
entrance to the beautiful harbor of Havana, 
when the breeze was flaunting the Spanish 
colors on high, and I secretly prayed (not 


x AUTHOR'S NOTE. 


daring to give expression to a rebellious 
thought in the presence of Spanish officials) 
that before many more months _ passed 
General Gomez would be able to carry out, 
not alone his own heart’s desire, but the 
desire of every liberty-loving heart in God's 
universe. 


ADELAIDE ROSALIND KIRCHNER. 


June 4, 1897. 


pee AG POR CUBA: 


PerieRs EN ROUTE TO CUBA. 


On Boarp THE S. 5S. Whitney, 
GuLF oF Mexico, March 6, 1897. 

CAN you realize, my dear, that we are 
actually en route to Cuba, where smallpox 
and yellow fever are fighting for supremacy 
with the cruel murderous warfare of Wey- 
ler? But I do not allow myself to dwell 
upon these very appalling features, trust- 
ing to fate as usual, and determined to 
make this trip, because nobody else dares— 
sister and I being the only passengers for 
Cuba, and I have talked her out of reason- 
ing for herself ; so away we go over these 
deep blue waters of the Gulf with happy and 
hopeful hearts. 

What an interminable length of time it 
seems since we left the icy shores of Lake 
Erie two short months ago! A quarto 


2 ASE UAGShOR CW BAS 


volume, even two quarto volumes, could not 
hold the itinerary of the intervening days, 
including wom course, dl levthemcxpericnccs 
prosaic and romantic. ‘The latter are richly 
rare in flavor, but, being of the present, are 
a little flat and tasteless; they need age to 
give them sparkle and quality, as do the 
rare vintages, so I have bottled and sealed 
them for future use, and if the fates are pro- 
pitious to this aspirant for literary honors, 
then shall the whole world drink deep, and 
revel vavwny teashw bis mtnesareammnc cmon 
my German ancestors which predominates 
this morning; but hopes are dreams with 
butterfly wings! 

[ have touched upon the trip by steamer 
down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers—those 
café-au-lait waters which were so muddy 
and sluggish in January, yet to-day are 
wreaking such fearful results, making an 
inland sea of some of the richest farming 
lands in the country, and what loss of life as 
well as property! It is harrowing to think 
of ; what a combination of the furies they 
must hold in every drop of their waters to 
spread such wholesale devastation ! 











THE FORTRESS OF MORRO CASTLE, AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE 
HARBOR OF HAVANA. 





A FLAG FOR CUBA. 5 


Three weeks of pleasurable rest at Pass 
Christian, that charming Gulf resort for 
winter, where one can wheel, ride, or drive, 
and sail and fish to his heart’s content. 
Then came the wonderful Mardi Gras fes- 
tivities in the Crescent City, and the conse- 
quent dissipation and royal good times 
never to be forgotten ! 

Ash Wednesday dawned and spread a 
pall over all, and we retreated to foreign 
shores in sack-cloth and ashes! and oh! 
what a rest to be on these waters away 
from the giddy whirl of social life in that 
old French city, where during the Mardi 
Gras season one is impressed that life holds 
nothing but the wine cup of pleasure, and 
the most serious duty is to attend only 
those functions that bring one most enjoy- 
ment; from the atmosphere filled with 
music and gay laughter you cannot escape 
if you try, and there is untold pleasure in 
experiencing, for once in your days, that life 
is but a dream of joy! 

It seems but natural, after following the 
Mississippi almost its entire length from 
North to South, that we should continue 


6 ACEEAGSHO REC UBAS 


with its flow into the Gulf of Mexico, the 
Mediterranean of 7\meticas andr croccm ts 
multi-colored surface to the very mouth 
where stands in queenly command the gem 
of the American seas, the island of Cuba. 
Taking the steamer from New Orleans, 
ourescourse lieS) oz2 > Ports Pantpaganae ey, 
West, Fla, to Havana shes -topeaueiom 
Tampa was of several hours, which was 
spent in=sightsecingi) Ble inny nearerie 
dock is built right over the waters of the 
bay; the dining room is most beautifully 
situated, long open windows framing the 
vast expanse of waters beyond—convenient 
for the amusement of the guests, who feed 
the fishes with various articles of diet ; and 
where it is possible in a few moments to 
Catchwastrino mol ecaticimimvtemcn(anaiarc 
Vienna roll—subject to no disappointment, 
such as some fishermen experience, with the 
subsequent humiliation of buying a string. 
Vhe fish are so tame, they do all but walk 
inves) THe aye ovis |) WKS Gime clic yoke 
of Sir Izaak Walton would naturally scoff 
at such angling—preferring, of course, the 
gamy silver tarpon or the wily speckled 


A FLAG FOR. CUBA. z 


trout. Having indugled in the latter sports, 
I must confess that where success is uncer- 
tain it gives zest to the enjoyment, and to 
conquer difficulties makes one a greater 
hero, 


Key West, March 7. 

One half day and night’s sail from Port 
Tampa through the ten thousand island 
keys, which, green with verdure, stretch 
irregularly in every direction to the horizon, 
brought us to Key West, the most southern 
Stiyeomurcmunited states, (lhe word key 
is from the Spanish cayo, meaning island. ) 
No imagination can picture the varying 
shades, changing momentarily, of those 
waters surrounding this island city, due in 
part to the limestone reefs and coral forma- 
tions. For twenty and thirty feet one can 
see below the surface the most beautifully 
colored fish darting back and forth among 
the growing coral. From the bastion of 
Fort Taylor—not yet completed, although 
started in 1845—we studied the gamut of 
shades on the water’s surface, 


“ Lulled by the coil of its crystalline streams.” 


8 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


Touching the horizon, where the sky was 
intensely blue, flowed a stream of rich tur- 
quoise, melting in a zigzag course into a 
rare dark green, joined to another stream 
of deeper blue, offset again by the palest 
tint, while near the shore stretched a 
milky border of opalescent hues. The city 
itself appeared like a pure white pearl float- 
ing in a sea of gems, from the glistening 
emeralds, amethysts, and liquid sapphires, to 
the burning opals. 

Before leaving the Fort I took a snap- 
shot of the island city, seven miles long by 
two miles wide, with its eighteen thousand 
inhabitants. Of course they were not con- 
scious of having their “ pictures took,” or | 
Never WoUldeNavemescapec mil Nemmel iy aan. 
picturesque, with its pretty frame dwellings 
surrounded by date and cocoanut palms, 
waving their graceful fronds in the cooling 
breeze, while the thermometer registered 
70° in the shade. Men looked immaculate 
in white linen suits, and ladies were daintily 
gvowned in organdies and mulls—a decided 
contrast to the frigid weather reports in our 
letters from the north. The atmosphere 





THE HEIGHTS OF LA CABANA, ADJOINING MORRO CASTLE. 





AVELAG FOR CUBA. ims 


of the city was filled with the perfume of 
blossoms; a profusion of gorgeous flowers 
prectea the eye at every turn. Tower- 
ing oleanders were hanging low under a 
burden of bloom, rare shades of rose-pink, 
red, and white ; the brilliant orange-colored 
flowers of the ganger tree were subdued by 
the cool shadows and the dense foliage of 
the Spanish laurel, or by the waxen-leaved 
sapodilla with its russet fruit. Darky boys 
were seen climbing the cocoanut palms, and 
then disputing over the division of the 
spoils, half the milk and meat being wasted 
in the struggle. 

Key West is a large naval station; in 
the barracks grounds is a wonderful banyan 
tree, the roots covering an area of fifty feet. 
The most pretentious and conspicuous 
buildings are the post office, and custom 
house, marine hospital, and Fort Taylor. 
La Brisa pavilion, on the beautiful waters of 
the Gulf, is the rendezvous for pleasure. 
Here one can see scores of pretty gazelle- 
eyed maids tripping the light fantastic with 
ease andgrace. Cigar factories (one of the 
principal industries of Key West) are 


12 ACH IA Gael O Rac UL BAP 


mostly in the hands of Cubans. We saw 
the silken golden leaf as shipped from 
Havana, unpacked, assorted, stripped, and 
made into all sizes of cigars; then assorted 
as to size and quality, packed in boxes, 
stamped, and labeled for shipping. The 
many pretty Cuban girls, with their soft lan- 
ouorous eyes and creamy skins, seemed 
brimming over with merriment, although all 
is carnage and ruin in their island home 
eighty miles away; the older women, as 
well as the men, were smoking cigarettes, 
and in the center of the main room was a 
raised platform where stood a man reading 
aloud in Spanish to the busy workers, who 
each pay a few cents a week for this sen- 
sible diversion. He reads papers or books, 
as thevesdesipewmas Osta excellent @planeeto 
check the idle gossip in factories. 

Sponge fishing 1s also one of the indus- 
tries of Key West; the warehouses are 
filled with millions of them in their un- 
bleached state (suspended from the ceiling 
asa curiosity was a peculiarly shaped sponge 
the: size of a half bushel basket). Where 
the men were cutting the cheaper sponges, 


Aerie Guo R CUBA, i 


and trimming to a uniform size, I saw 
thousands of pieces that would supply and 
gladden the hearts of all the little maidens 
of the ‘“‘ North Countree,” who are begin- 
ning the problem of life with pencils and 
slates. 

The reefs on which the sponges grow are 
only six miles away, and cover an area of 
thirty-five hundred miles. The men of a 
sponging schooner search the bottom with 
a sponge glass (a bucket with a glass bot- 
tom), and bring up the sponges with a 
hook; they are spread on deck, and ‘the 
gelatinous matter which encases them 
allowed to decay, then brought to land, 
placed in crawls, where the ebb and flood 
of the water wash them clean in a week; 
then beaten free of sand and grit, and 
assorted on the wharves in bunches and 
sold at auction. We passed several spong- 
ing fleets cruising on the reefs, and watched, 
their operations; also witnessed the dis- 
charge of their cargo at the docks. Ab- 
sorbed in this interesting sight, our atten- 
tion was called to a filibustering schooner a 
short distance from shore, laden with sup- 


I4 ADE LAGE ORSCU BAG 


plies for Cuba and manned by insurgents, 
while close to us stood several Cubans ex- 
changing signs and signals with those on 
board; and we learned: later that the 
schooner had set out for Cuba the day 
before, but being followed had to return, 
and now assumed the business of fishing, 
waiting to escape the vigilant eye of its 
enemy, and make a more successful de- 
parture. We continued to observe these 
maneuverings at intervals during the day, 
and finally the Cubans on shore went aboard 
a sloop, and sailed away in an opposite 
direction from the schooner, which after an 
hour or more headed for the same point, and 
wé all hoped the course was clear for a suc- 
cessful issue. 

The wharves at Key West are a veritable 
side-show of surprises, and among the most 
interesting are the pens of monstrous 
turtles weighing three and four hundred 
pounds, caught in nets and kept in these 
crawls, until sold for shipment north at 
twenty-five and thirty cents per pound. 

There are several steamers lying at the 
docks and the passengers are amusing 





THE FAMOUS BANYAN TREE, KEY WEST, FLA. 





AP RUNAGIEOR, CUBA: iy 


themselves by tossing coins into the water 
for which the little darky boys dive, catch- 
ing them by mouth or hand; the various 
contortions of their perfect bronze forms 
are clearly visible in the depths below; they 
swim like fish; the water is over twenty 
feet deep. The sport is so fascinating to 
the coin thrower that he quite forgets his 
school table for the measure of values until 
his pockets are empty, while the brown 
faces beam with expectancy until the 
change is exhausted. 

Then what a subject for an artist! 
~Serambling out of the water on the docks, 
they stand emptying the contents of their 
temporary bank—the mouth—to count the 
“shiners,” surrounded by a score of boys 
picturesque in their scanty and ragged 
clothes, participating in the fun and frolic 
but not the gains, for to the divers alone 
belong the coins. 


The last glimpse of Fort Taylor and the 
Marine Hospital, and the whole picturesque 
island, faded with the closing in of the last 
brilliant rays of a superb sunset as we sped 


18 ATFUAG FORIGURA. 


along the buoy-marked channel southwest 
toward Havana on the Cuban shore, only 
ninety-four miles away. The government 
light on Sand Key, seven miles south-south- 
west of Key West, marks the southernmost 
point of the United States” “Between the 
line-oi keyssand the Cuban shoresareythe 
straits of Florida, through which flow ina 
steady current the warm waters of the Gulf 
Stream, |) Ehescrossing vor thesesstraits ais 
dreaded as much as that of the Enelish 
Channel, because so fearfully rough, but 
we suffer no qualms, having already proved 
our sterling qualities for seamanship— 
through a number of storms, laughing at 
the angry waves, and gaining the epithet 
of cenuine salt, tars,” 

Saihevday isidones er Anestesimultane 
ously with the last faint lingering shadow of 
sunset night burst forth in all its glory of 
starlight; and what brilliant stars! These 
southern heavens are so clear and trans- 
parent that the eye can almost penetrate 
beyond the limits of illimitable space. 

A few short hours in our cozy berths, 
with windows wide open, for the millions of 





A PALM-SHADED HOME IN KEY WEST. 








7 4 ry a ~ ‘ 4s i, 
ti a : Ue aha u pee Aw 


Apr oAGY FOR CUBA, 21 


distinct stars to shed their silver light on 
the pathway of our dreamy rest, and dawn 
will break ; and with it, our first glimpse of 
the shores of Cuba. Axuenas Noches (Good- 
night)! The soft Castilian tongue, with its 
liquid vowels and consonants, which we 
have heard more or less on the ship and in 
Key West, seems the only one appropriate 
in this tropical stretch where the breezes 
are soothingly languorous and nature 1s 
surpassingly rich and mellow. 


ADE MEARS J COIE an bay NIN aN. 


In THE City oF Havana, 
ISLAND OF CUBA, 
March 9, 1897. 

Vent! Vide! Veet’ we may exclaim like 
Czesar, for the Rubicon is crossed! We 
are on Cuban soil, damp with the bloody 
domination of Sparish cruelity, and under 
the vigilant eyes of the Spanish police ! 

But I am rushing headlong into the 
strife. backward@stucheeebackwardasrol. 
thoughts, in your trend, and let me recount 
our early morning arrival! Would that I 


had the gift of Shelley—lover of the sea 








to pen you an artistic picture of that sun- 
rise on the bay of Havana! 

It was barely five o’clock in the morning 
when with the captain we stood on deck, 
looking south, and in the somber shadow 
of winged night we could trace the stretch 
of hilly coast, extending east and west for 


22 


ATTA G HOR CUBA, 23 


miles in a broken Sine, and set with glis- 
tening stars of electricity, resembling a 
jeweled coronet, while rising above the 
shore in brilliant illumination beamed, mini- 
ature-like, in the distance, the quaint old 
city of Havana, capital of Cuba. 

When about two miles from Morro Castle 
light we distinguished several small boats 
approaching our steamer; in fact we had 
slowed up to take the occupants on board. 
One was the Spanish pilot, who took com- 
mand of the wheel, and the others, about 
six, were the Board of Health and Custom 
House officials and police, all uniformed in 
cadet blue linen suits with white trimmings. 
Somenotmethese officers are detailed *to 
B2vomure steamer as long. as she lies:in 
port. 

At first we resented the rude staring and 
prying officiousness of these Spaniards with 
their snappy black eyes and closely trimmed 
Van Dyke beards, for no matter which way 
we turned their attention was riveted upon 
us; now, we would feel quite lost without 
this distinguished bodyguard. The most 
humble American citizen is at present of' 


24 ALELAGTPORECU BAT 


great importance in Cuba, because Spain ts 
most suspicious of her American neighbors. 

I shall never forget what difficulties our 
kind and courteous captain and purser 
passed through for our sakes. And judg- 
ing from the latter's gymnastic conversa- 
tion with the Spanish officers, who were 
equally demonstrative, the officers either 
did not want to understand the purser’s 
Spanish, or were too obtuse to comprehend 
the condition of affairs, viz., two women 
without passports or certificates of health, 
and without escorts, in the face of war and 
smallpox, for the sake of sight-seeing under 
such. adverse conditions, to venture across 
the water and risk possible detention, 

It seemed: hopelessly - beyond them-; 
they would separate, shaking their heads, 
and then return to go through more gyrat- 
ing and layrng down the law. We, being 
the cynosure, of allveyes felt themleast bit 
conscience-stricken that our willfulness 
and daring might entangle our beloved 
country in such a series of intricate compli- 
cations as would result in a case of “ Spain 
vs. America,” and possibly bring ruin and 





JUST BEFORE DAWN, HAVANA BAY. 





A FLAG FOR’ CUBA. 27 


disgrace to the very officers to whom we 
were so deeply indebted. (And right here 
in Havana let me pay a tribute to those of 
our American men who never fail in all the 
demands of unselfishness, often at the loss 
of personal comfort and inconvenience, to 
extend to the unescorted women, when 
traveling, that grace of courteous attention 
which stamps them true-born gentlemen, 
and of whom every American woman 1s 
proud. ) 

To this hour I am ignorant of how those 
officers adjusted their differences, but what 
looked ominous at first dissipated with the 
faint flush of dawn, and our spirits rose as 
we neared the picturesque fortress of Morro 
Castle, which guards the entrance of that 
magnificent harbor, ‘‘the finest in the 
world, with but one exception, that of Mel- 
bourne, Australia,” our captain declared, 
who had touched at every foreign port. 

As the course of the steamer lies a little 
east of Morro Castle, the narrow entrance to 
the bay and the bay itself, or the harbor, are 
not visible until the steamer turns her nose 
around the rocky fortress point, and be- 


28 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


hold! a hill-crowned bay with a thousand 
SlipsmatyranchorsOneae smilie cactmoL 
oreen waves in the peaceful light of early 
dawn ; there were ships of all sizes and of all 
nationalities—Spanish men-of-war, Spanish, 
American, and European steamers, freight 
lighters: passenger boats, ferries, setcrsatd 
asewesentered {he sMOULN Ol mthenbaven te 
lig¢nt of morning broke, revealing a most 
beautiful sight. 

At the left of the harbor is Morro Castle, 
connected by a continuous fortification with 
the Fort of La Cabafia, the strongest fortress 
of Havana, crowning a high bluff on the 
water front; the right entrance is guarded 
by Fort La Punta, and then encircling the 
bay rises in majestic whiteness the city itself. 
Slowly and regally from behind the heights 
of La Cabafia appeared a golden crescent 
of roseate light, rising higher and filling 
more rapidly, then bursting suddenly into a 
globe of fire and giving a master’s touch of 
color and light to the scene before us. 
The king of day was in command; out- 
lining with a golden halo the somber 
tOWCrsmoOlw) | Oro, @actlcwleaw Galan led 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 209 


Punta, and the other three forts of this 
harbor; then tracing in gold the crescent 
shore on the right, and touching up the 
numerous spires, towers, domes, and _ col- 
umns of the massive buildings and churches, 
quaint in their Moorish style of architect- 
ure, and bathing all in a flood of warm pink 
and creamy lights, it was the most artisti- 
cally beautiful picture I ever saw, and as if 
fomicianuen the etlect, at the sun's rise 
reveillé sounded from the men-of-war in the 
harbor and from the forts simultaneously, 
echoing afar among the hills note after 
note, while the flags were hoisted and 
floated out upon the tropical air. 

The bay is three miles in circumference, 
land-locked, and deep enough for the largest 
vessels, and capacious enough for a navy. 
The Spanish men-of-war in the full flood of 
daylight were spotlessly white and all of a 
shimmer of gold in their highly polished 
mountings. 

It did not seem possible that amid all 
this beauty of scene, with nature’s smiling 
peace, there could be discord and strife, 
blood and war; the morning was so quiet 


30 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


and refulgent that only tender and happy 
thoughts could live. 

In Spanish waters all foreign steamers 
anchor at their respective buoys, unless 
they wish to pay the enormous privilege 
for docking, so while being piloted to our 
anchorage we were followed by a raft of 
small passenger boats and freight lighters, 
the latter two-masted schooners: as soon 
as the anchon was. cast, three oretoutson 
these lighters were secured to the side of 
the steamer and the discharging of freight 
began. Each lighter had its own crew of 
stevedores, mostly blacks, who carried their 
noonday meal in a bright bandanna. 

The freight this trip consisted of hun- 
dreds of boxes of eggs, a large supply of 
oats, molasses, and sugar. 

Among the cargo of former trips were 
a hundred horses and cattle, for which they 
received twenty dollars a head, and no 
GhaicemuOnwslnlOoa dino mmaCme Licmmstc anil 
anchors at a wharf where they are simply 
led off. 

After breakfast came the momentous 
hour for going ashore. Innumerable com- 





THE OLD STONE-STEP LANDING, HAVANA. 





A PRAG FOR CUBA: 35 


munications had passed between the 
officers on ship-board and those on land. 
Escorted by our ship’s officers we stepped 
into a boat, a sort of yawl, with an arbor- 
like curtained frame in the stern, protect- 
ing us fromthe sun’s hot rays, for as the 
day grew apace the heat increased ; still a 
most delightful and refreshing breeze came 
off the water. These yawls, or bombs, as 
they are called, besides one or two pairs of 
oars have a sail which that morning the 
breeze filled, skimming us along over the 
bay close by the men-of-war with their hun- 
dreds of white uniformed sailors on duty. 
In twenty minutes we had reached the 
great stone steps of the landing, where, 
after being again duly inspected at a re- 
spectful distance, and witnessing more gym- 
nastic discussions in Spanish, we stepped 
foot on Cuban soil. Landed at that wharf 
from which Cortez had sailed for the land 
of the Aztecs to add Mexico to Spain, and 
De Soto embarked for Florida, and dis- 
covered the Mississippi! Can you imagine 
the flood of thought that filled me for 
a few moments? But ‘I was _ suddenly 


34 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


brought out of past century reveries by a 
loud squabble on the docks among the fish 
dealers; a large consignment of dried fish 
similar to cod was being bid for; soldiers 
patrolled the landing on guard duty; idle 
men in dilapidated clothes with sore, scabby 
faces stood where a hundred of bombs 
were moored, and in which the prisoners 
are taken across the bay about half a 
mile to the dungeons of Morro Castle. 
The spacious old custom house on the 
landing has been garrisoned with hundreds 
of soldiers, Passing through the great 
iron gates, which are closed at night, we 
CNLLeieet ne aeity .Ol se llavanamb yalicuec (Lect 
leading along the barracks on the right, 
with the Columbus Memorial Chapel on 
the left, facing the park square, which’ is 
in front of the Captain General’s winter 
palace. The latter is a massive colonnaded 
marble structure and contains the offices of 
the various government departments. Up 
to General Weyler’s appointment to his 
CXeCULiVesOllICe this pal kK mOGenlazametomimn> 
called in Spanish, was a most refreshing 
spotwhera creat laurelmttecswopreadmalcit 


Meh VAG KOR CUBA. 35 


thickly leaved branches for inviting shade, 
but for some undivulged reason General 
Weyler had these beautiful trees felled and 
saplings put in their place, consequently 
the plaza to-day is anything but attractive. 
mocmeetniers marble, statue of Ferdinand 
VII. stands in the center without the least 
shade, the surroundings being unrelieved 
stretches of white buildings. While we 
were passing the entrance gate of the 
bouriekcwmeviiich also. faces the Plaza, I 
audaciously snapped my kodak on the 
commandante anda group of soldiers, and 
for which I expected instant decapitation, as 
did the rest of the party with me, judging 
from their surprised and shocked expres- 
sions; but so far I have suffered no inter- 
ference in that respect, except ominous 
looks. 

The soldiers’ uniform is of linen cadet 
blue; coats banded in white, blue, or green, 
according to the rank ; gray sombreros, or 
white linen fatigue caps; the officers are 
mostly of fine physique and military bear- 
ing, but there are hundreds of young 
soldiers who in their shambling gait off 


36 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


duty remind one of schoolboys. Soldiers 
are on guard at all the government build- 
ings inside and out; also at certain points 
throughout the city, while others pass back 
and forth and mingle with the pedestrians. 
Most of them have an untidy appearance, 
their linen suits being mussed and out of 
shape, and the trouser legs seeming loth to 
comme in contact with Cuban soil, judging 
from their elevation—reminding one of 
“Mr. O’Reilly’s high-water pants.” 


Havand Wlarch ro. 

What first impresses one in Havana are 
the very narrow streets in the old quarters. 
Some of the business thoroughfares allow 
passage for one team only, so there are cer- 
tain streets to go up and certain Streets to 
COM COWMirandh nN OMmsIden al lame xceptma 
curbing one foot to two feet wide. If you 
have the right of way the person coming 
toward you steps down on one foot into 
the street (almost a foot below) and waits 
till the Indian-file procession passes, then 
resumes his journey, this constant jumping 
up and down reminding one of the old- 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. ay 


fashioned game of ‘‘hop-scotch.” Many 
walk in the streets, and in one respect it is 
more comfortable, but the rough stone 








IN THE OLD BUSINESS QUARTER, HAVANA. 


pavements are sure to produce a corn crop 
on short notice. 

The business streets are awninged across 
—a protection from the sun; likewise span- 
ning the way are gay banners flaunting 1n 


38 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


the breeze, bedecked with merchants’ 


signs, so that “‘he who runs may read,” that 
is, if he reads Spanish, for Cuba is Spanish 
in all but the freedom-inspiring American 
air she breathes. 

In the newer quarters the broad avenues— . 
in the center of which are stretches of green 
parks with beautiful Indian laurel, palms 
and evergreen trees—are lined with white, 
Creal wandessOlte pine tintedmpalaces min... 
jestic in their solid outlines, relieved only 
by the lofty graceful porticos and arches 
resting on substantial pillars. The build- 
ings are of white marble and white lime. 
stone, one or two stories and flat roofs; the 
walls are of extreme thickness, the ceilings 
very hieh, and themtloorsyare tiled.) [he 
fronts of the houses have a formidable ap- 
pearance; huge windows with iron bars and 
shutters take the place of glass,\but the 
ponderous doors once open reveal courts 
or patios with beautiful trees, shrubs, 
flowers, and running fountains. ‘The busi- 
ness structures are similar; the apartments 
above lead from a covered veranda which 
surrounds the court. These are character- 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 39 


istic features of the buildings in Mexico or 
wherever the architecture has been in- 
fluenced by Moorish Spain. This city 
does not impress me as so strangely quaint, 
because of my familiarity with old Mexico, 
it is nevertheless impressive, differing in 
the great variety of palms, which form one 
of the graceful features of the landscape, 
towering specimens waving their huge 
fronds scepter-like on high. 

We visited every quarter of the city and 
the suburbs, but owing to the existing war 
conditions were advised not to make any 
excursions into the adjoining districts, it 
being deemed hazardous. Old-fashioned 
victorias, drawn by small horses in heavy 
brass-trimmed harnesses, are stationed at 
Piineousevery corer, and can) be ‘hired for 
uemetes tritles (ii» you make; the bargain 
Petorehancd)- wee. drive alone the Prado 
past several park squares—plazas—contain- 
ing magnificent statuary, and out several 
miles on the splendid Charles III. Avenue 
(Paseo Carlos) to the Captain General’s 
casa, or summer palace, gave us a beautiful 
view of the hilly stretches of verdure-cov- 


40 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


ered country beyond, with their flag-topped 
forts. Surrounding the palace is a park 
filled with every variety of tropical flowers, 
fruits, plants, and trees; playing fountains 
and artificial waterfalls add their gurgling 








COUNTRY FREIGHT TRAINS. 


notes to those of bright feathered songsters, 
The whole is inclosed by a white marble 
wall, capped with an elaborate iron fence. 

Small horses laden with saddle-baskets of 
fruit are picturesque and familiar sights in 
the suburbs, as are also the long trains of 
ox teams, yoked by the horns and drawing 
loads of freight. 

Another drive out along the shore of the 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. AI 


Gult vot; Mexico, through the suburbs. of 
~Carmello and Vendaba, gave us a sight 
of the beautiful colonnaded homes encircled 
by more beautiful gardens against the still 
more beautiful background of the blue 
materomotethe (rulf. This is the fashion- 
able evening drive; along which are the 
white marble éazos, or bath houses, slop- 
iemdovwne to the edge of the water; the 
CO eeOueaiotelS the casinos with. their 
Meme active icatures, not the least of 
pomenmecmine sexcellent. cuisine.’ hese 
are the rendezvous places, at all seasons 
of the year, for the é/zfe and fashionable of 
the two hundred and fifty thousand tn- 
habitants of Havana. 

Along the highways bordering the Gulf 
the Spaniards are constructing forts and 
buildine fortifications, perhaps in  antici- 
pation of a foreign war! I wonder how 
long it would take American warships to 
Pet Llemticmsunvemacyvn Ol mpoOwel ii) Lliese 
WaberotemeTOlmewiercmls writesl can. see 
the heights of La Cabafia, adjoining Morro 
Gastle = trome  whichs) the British). and 
Yankees, under General Putnam, stormed 


42 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


the castle when they took the town in 1762, 
and Lord Albemarle’s share of the booty 
was one hundred thousand pounds in gold! 
I have in mind a number of willing-to-be 
lords ready for such substantial spoils! 

Several visits to the Fondas of Havana 
have initiatedwus intomthe: mystericssotma 
Spanish fresco, an iced drink of a combi- 
nation of crushed fruits most palatable 
and refreshing these very warm days; as 
are also the delicious home made iced 
creams with dulces (cakes). 

The -restaurantsom the: first floor. with 
doors and windows wide open, are very 
clean and invitingly cool, and the service 
is excellent. We have had most delicious 
pompino, the famous fish of the Gulf, 
Spanish omelettes, and several unnamable 
dishes~ the latter) quite’ too" Spanish= tor 
OUliam iM ehiCalmelictes: 

Most of the hotels are comfortable and 
quite modern in their appointments, but at 
INohtwowe s pretenmtne = protectionnao mamouiGg 
American flag on the steamer, and when 
sunset comes we pass out through the city 
gates and step into our waiting boat, which 





THE SUBURBS OF HAVANA. 


ALONG 





A FLAG FOR CUBA. As 


carries us far out on the bay, away from 
the din and noise and heat of the day, and 
where the breezes, cool and sweet, lull us 
Fommeiresning (sleep. (We are: told by a 
genius at story-telling “that there are 
seventy-five distinct odors in the Harbor 
of Havana when the wind blows the other 
way! We think his olfactories have 
Deentected tO their limits. But it is really 
a fact that the bay, which has no outlet 
femecleigeing® itseli, is made a receptacle 
for the city’s sewage. 


HAVANA. Wlarch 11 

When we visited the Havana markets, 
immense buildings occupying entire blocks 
in different sections of the city, we saw a 
variety and abundance of fish, vegetables, 
and tropical fruits such as we had never seen 
before. Of course we had to taste those 
fruits that were new to us—and such a con- 
elomeration as they were, mostly acidless, 
sweet, and mushy, pronounced delicious by 
the natives, but perhaps, like the admira- 
tion for the shoulder of Katisha, of Mikado 


7) 8) 
e 


fame, ‘‘the taste has to be cultivated 


46 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


The outside space of the lower floor of 
the market house is occupied by stores, 
with every variety of goods and wares, 
running the gamut of human needs from 
an infant’s slip to a rough box or coffin; 
the interior space on the lower floor 1s occu- 
pied). by stalls! tor #fruit and yeretables: 
while on the second floor are the meat, 
fish, and poultry departments. Most of 
the attendants could with effect have been 
treated to a surprise-party of soap and 
water and clean linen. Many bear traces of 
recent scars from smallpox; in fact nearly 
all the natives you meet are pock-marked. 
I found the same conditions in Mexico ; the 
people are unclean and have no idea of 
sanitation, and when disease breaks out it 
naturally spreads where the soil is ripe 
fOrmit: 

I was informed by an American lady 
who has lived a number of years in 
Havana, that the native woman seldom 
ever touches water to her face, the first 
duty in her toilet-making is to use the 
powder puff; and that the two _ indis- 
pensable requisites to, her, Gomiort, at 


AGRUAG FOR CUBA. 47 


home or abroad, are a fan and a small box 
holding puff and powder. She uses one 
as freely as the other, at all times and 
under all circumstances. If at the res- 
taurant or theater the heat be _ intense, 
she opens her powder box and cools her 
Peewee oeiic or these puff holders are 
like small silver bon-bon boxes, set with 
tiny mirrors, so you can imagine how small 
the puff must be. We saw a number of 
women abroad, mostly all in the deepest 
mourning: this two years’ struggle having 
thinned the ranks of father, brother, hus- 
bageeanareon. § Phey looked like specters, 
with their powdered faces, in black gowns 
ace opanisn lace) veils; *all carried tiny 
fans (even the men), the tinier the more 
fashionable, as we discovered in the fan 
shops, where we saw thousands of them; 
fans of dainty sandal wood, inlaid with 
mother of pearl, of exquisite lace with 
carved ivory handles mounted in gold, 
ranging in price from twenty-five cents 
to five hundred dollars, in Spanish gold 
Oiucliver malice thismeadcamesto tell’ you 
about the money question which is just 


48 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


now stirring the business wrath of all 
Cuba. 

Since the -insurreetion = the © spanish 
Government has issued a paper currency, 
whichis! depreciatin gmedayasDyecla\remme Lc 
a casa gamuia, (Or exchange ollice mae 
secured native money; for five American 
dollars we received eight dollars and forty 
cents in paper, or five dollars and seventy- 
five cents in gold or silver. 

The paper money given us was crisp and 
new (to avoid infection) and of the follow- 
ing denominations: cinco centavos (five 
cents); cinquenta centavos (fifty cents) ; 
ciento centavos (one hundred cents); the 
last two bills are not larger than the old 
twenty-five cent American ‘“shinplaster.” 

In giving the price of any article the 
merchants would rate it according to the 
different money standards, charging double 
if paid for in paper (the circulation of which 
they tried hard to prevent and which they 
say will soon be worthless). Business of 
course 1s at a standstill; many of the houses 
have closed, and in others salaries have been 
reduced and the force cut down. The war 


APL EAG TOR CUBA. 49 


has destroyed hamlets and villages, as well 
as plantations; compelled farmers, laborers, 
and planters, with their families, to seek 
the cities’ protection. Out of work, with 
scarcity of money and provisions, prices of 
food advancing, there is much suffering 
and want among the people ; houses are for 
rent, owners having gone to the States, to 
return when times are better and the war 1s 
over. 

Nearly all the places of amusement are 
elecedememee principal one is the Tacon; 
which ranks as the third largest theater in 
the world. The Spanish Casino is a mag- 
nificent building, with a fine collection of 
painting and articles of vertu representing 
the history of the Spanish nation since the 
femi@test sepoch, — Lhe Casino supports a 
free academy, where English and French 
languages, bookkeeping, drawing, etc., are 
taught. 

The masquerade balls of the Casino 
during the carnival are noted as the most 
gorgeous in the world. We_ visited the 
exclusive club, ‘‘Central Asturiano,” which 
in its architecture, materials, decorations, 


50 At LAG EL O ReGUIBA: 


and furnishings exceeds any club  build- 
ing in foreign countries. It beggars de- 
scription... vA wealth on™ marbiemsonyx< 
mirrors, cut glass, precious woods, rich 
brocaded draperies, exquisite pieces of 
bronze and marble, all make up an artistic 
and ravishing effect. 

While visiting this building we were 
fortunate enough to meet several of the 
most beautiful women of Havana, who 
were completing arrangements for a grand 
full dress children’s party to be held at the 
club. They were» handsome women ‘ot 
that dark rare type peculiar to the Creole ; 
rich creamy skins with soft dark brown 
eyes and chestnut hair, and they seemed 
so light-hearted and happy that I could not 
quite reconcile their manners and plans to 
the existing state of things in the island 
at large. | 

But through all sorrows and_ strifes 
there will be those who weep, and those 
who laugh, and time makes joy the stronger. 


Our interest in churches was. centered 


in the! old atin-Gothie Gathedrala wibeaa- 














THE OLD CATHEDRAL, HAVANA. 





A HLAG FOR CUBA. 53 


ing up from a narrow street in the old 
quarter with a square of pavement in 
front, stands this imposing structure, which 
holds the last remains of the immortal 
Columbus, whose ashes were said to have 
been brought here from San Domingo 
when that island was ceded to the French. 
Diego, the son of Columbus, is also buried 
in this grand old cathedral, whose interior 
is so rich and effective, and the found- 
ations of which were laid in 1656 and which 
was completed in 1754. The buildings in 
the rear, adjoining the church, remind one 
of the old Spanish missions in southern 
California and through Mexico. But the 
richest and handsomest church is that of 
the Merced, built in 1746. 

Around the main altar, which is gold fin- 
ished, and furnished in rare embroideries and 
laces, are some noted paintings, especially 
CiemOme iio laste ot pers) lhe chapel 
on the left is a facsimile of the Grotto of 
Lourdes in France, with most elaborate 
details. Adjoining the church within the 
cloister wall is a tropical garden of mag- 
nificent palms, bananas, and other trees. 


54 APU LAGS FORGE UibAG 


Besides the Catholic churches there are 
other places of worship belonging to mostly 
all denominations, and religious intolerance 
is a relic of the past. The convent schools 
and Jesuit colleges are the chief educational 
influences. 

One of the principal points of interest to 
all tourists is the Columbus Memorial on 
the plaza opposite the Captain General’s 
winter residence, and only one = square 
from the wharf gates. It is a white marble 
chapel, in front of which is a small plot of 
ornamented ground inclosed by an elaborate 
marble and iron fence. It was built to 
commemorate the place where was cele- 
brated the first Mass on the island in the 
year 1519, ‘“‘ under a large ceiba, a beautiful 
tree known as the cotton tree of the West 
Indies.” It is not that tree, but one of its 
kind, which shadows the intense whiteness 
of the marble chapel and gives an artistic 
touch to the whole. 


Havana, March 12, 1897. 
We spent this afternoon visiting our 
American representatives, whose offices are 





COLUMBUS MEMORIAL CHAPEL, HAVANA. 


cl 


nates |. - ‘ Po ren 
7 oe, VES Rie 


ae, “Ay 





A FLAG FOR CUBA. BZ 


in an imposing white marble building ; the 
newspaper correspondents, representing 
America’s leading papers, occupy offices on 
the first floor. Taking the elevator up one 
flight, we were ushered into the consul’s 
apartments. [here was no ceremony, no 
red tape about an audience. When the dis- 
tinguished and courteous vice consul, Mr. 
J. Stricker, received us and sent our cards 
fomtmewconsul, General Fitzhugh Lee, the 
answer came immediately, “The general 
Pvaiucmeriyes ladies, . and he welcomed us 
with a hearty hand-shaking cordiality that 
alone would have repaid us for the trip. 
Immaculate in white linen, with his sandy 
mustache and brilliant complexion and 
merry blue eyes, he impressed us as a strik- 
ingly handsome man, with an ease and 
grace of military bearing that would fasci- 
nate the most indifferent, while his gallant 
courtesy wins him general admiration. 
He complimented us on our bravery, and 
said our visit was such a respite from the 
war conditions that he determined to keep 
us as long as possible. He was jolly and 
full of anecdotes (which pray do not mis- 


58 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


take for a Spanish drink), and encouraged 
our conversation along all lines but that of 
the war. 

Lvaskedshinrit “he thouchtssthemwar 
would soon be over, and he replied, ‘“‘ We 
cannot tell; we arein hopes something will 
intervene to put an end to this needless 
suffering and shedding of blood.” 

Apropos of General Weyler, he related 
aNeINCiden CaO le nISmbGaVel\ sae TemOLmtic 
Harper artists was most desirous of secur- 
ing a sketch of Weyler in the field, and took 
advantage of a time when Weyler and one 
of the flying columns of Spanish soldiers 
were devastating plantations in the neigh- 
borhood of Havana. On the reported day 
ObUhis# retirieetOomticmClivemtncmaiiistesin: 
trenched himself in a small deserted hut on 
the highway to watch the procession and se- 
cure asketch; to insure freedom from attack 
he hung outa yellow flag—the fatal sign for 
smallpox, and that scourge to the Spaniard © 
is dreaded even more than the bandit’s knife. 

Finally the troops came in view, and 
when Weyler in his line of vision saw the 
little hut with its yellow flag, he pulled to 


ASELAGEYORGCUBA. 59 


the opposite side, gave whip and spur to his 
horse, and went by so rapidly that not even 
a cinemetograph could have taken the fly- 
ing figure, or the soldiers who followed 
him. 


Havana, March 13, 1897. 

In spite of the war conditions on this 
island, we have not been brought in contact 
with anything warlike but the Spanish 
officers and soldiers, and but for them, and 
the several cavalry troops we have seen 
Meteneamout ior duty, and. the Spanish 
men-of-war in the harbor and the vigilance 
ofall the police, the business depression and 
general quiet of the city, we would not know 
Gime ateexisteds | Of course itis, inv the 
air, everybody discussing Weyler and his 
barbarous manner of warfare. He is hated 
alike by all the citizens, Spaniard or Cuban, 
and many are the horrible tales that are 
told of him. The newspapers print only 
such news as is given officially, under 
Spanish direction, but there are suppressed 
papers giving the other side of the issues, 
and so the insurgent advances and retreats 


60 As FLAGSEORCUBA® 


are repeated in whispers from one to the 
other. Everybody hopes for our govern- 
ment’s intervention. 

We have seen places for rent whose 
owners have spent thousands of dollars a 
year in living, yet to-day have not money 
enough) toy pay 40r isetrvanteitewm saenye 
body is suffering, the women and children 
most of all, because their fate is so uncertain. 
Are they wives and children of insurgents ? 
then the worst fate awaits them, for many 
have been cruelly murdered. One cannot 
realize the tyranny of Spanish rule until he 
breathes the Cuban atmosphere. Should 
assistances be. oiven) thewtaniiieomeo Wm bie 
insurgents, or any sympathy shown them, 
then are the sympathizers imprisoned, 
COULt-mMariialecemman climes ilo te 

SWenveance@s mine, @sayom>palletimtne 
acts of Weyler, and. if the insurgents do 
surrender, or are defeated, then will they 
meet the same fate. No wonder we hear 
the cry of liberty or death! I could not 
remain here much longer. Spanish domi- 
Natlonwesuch aSseDlacticcdmmNnclecmmi malo 
chokes me.’ I wonder I have not expressed 








THE CAPTAIN GENERAL’S WINTER PALACE, HAVANA--GENERAL 
WEYLER ENTERING, 





A FLAG FOR CUBA. 63 


my Amercian opinion aloud! Only the 
ominous-looking fortress of Morro Castle, 
with its pages of bloody history, keeps the 
rebellious spirit silent, for there are many 
insurgents right in the city, who, smiling 
with Spain, do all they can to assist the 
insurgents in the field. 

Passing the Captain General's palace one 
day I saw a group of officers, and was told 
quietly Weyler was entering his residence. 
I caught a cursory glance of him, and 
brought my kodak into requisition. That 
was near as | cared to be. 

We saw a number of Cuban negroes 
avoutetie market places, and it did seem 
rather incongruous to hear them speak the 
beautiful soft Castilian tongue of Spain. 

Throughout our sight-seeing and visiting 
here we have had the guidance of an 
American, long a resident of Havana, and to 
whom we feel most deeply indebted. He 
has been tireless in his courtesies and atten- 
tions, so that we have not had to suffer inter- 
ference from Spanish authority, and has kept 
our special bodyguard always at a respect- 
ful distance. 


64 A FLAG FOR CUBA. ue 


We have met one or two ‘Spanish com- 
mandantes, or lieutenants, and they were 
most gracious in showing us small courte- 
sies. 7) Phe spaniardsisnot a tiues@astiitan 
if he is not innately polite, but one accepts 
his courtesies with a feeling that the sur- 
face is glazed, covering deceit) malice, and 
even murder. Unfortunately we class all 
Spaniards with Weyler, and Spain has to 
shoulder his infamous treatment of human- 
ity, and bear the blame. She sent him in 
places ol «Campos, thateiismcrlelt vane ine 
terminate the life of insurgency; so far he 
has not been successful, for his own atro- 
cious policy defeats his purpose. Weyler, 
by his wholesale butchery and _ devasta- 
tion of property, has made insurgents. of 
the peaceable natives—the faczficos. He 
is treading near a bottomless abyss, and 
the final step will be irrevocable. 


Havana, March 14, 1897. 
Our visit to these foreign shores is draw- 
iN Gea tOnaepeaceillmeGlo-c sslimeateamullat 
it might resolve itself into an action of 
they = pidervancethewly |) samc ian ieee ciel 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 65 


Mratmere Object to being: held a prisoner, 
when, as you know, my chief characteristic 
Pomona. iTee. 

If we could not show satisfactory marks 
of recent vaccination, upon which the health 
certificates were procured, we had to suffer 
inoculation and twelve days’ quarantine. 
We knew of this when we arrived, and yet 
Wetenieam the examination till the last 
moiment, so that we might enjoy the several 
days of pleasure and sight-seeing with no 
béte-norry shadow. Armed with all the assur- 
ance characteristic of American travelers, 
Pmdmovien the good wishes of all the 
officials, who awaited the final developments 
with much interest, we were escorted to 
iveme wiivesicane piysician > offices “Dr. D. 
W. Burgess is the United States Sanitary 
Inspector, and has resided many years 
in Havana. Haus silver hair and beard give 
him an austere appearance, but when. his 
face lights up with his gracious smile, and 
his eyes beam on you so kindly, he wins 
your confidence at once. 

Dr. Burgess stands between the epidemic 
GiNCiceAsc Him Oubamaucdmthe  nealthmon the 


66 AGEIOAGEEOR MC UBAY 


United States, and he is most conscientious 
in his duties. 

The death rate from smallpox in Havana 
is one hundred per day among the vil- 











DR. BURGESS, UNITED STATES SANITARY INSPECTOR AT HAVANA. 


lagers who have been crowded in the city 
quarters and spreading the dreaded scourge, 
consequently the utmost precaution has to 
bertakeus 

The ordeal was over; we showed the 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 67 


scars of our last vaccination, and fortunately 
for us we were given a certificate without 
delay, which contains a description “as we 
appeared,” hair, eyes, etc., and which we will 
be compelled to present to the United States 
Sanitary Inspector at Key West, Dr. Sweat- 
ing, before we are allowed to enter Uncle 
Sam's domains. With hearts light and 
free we bounded down the steps of the 
doctor’s office and made a round of adzos 
visits. 


Ae ERCRSIGUN Gaav EEA: 


On BoarD THE 9. 5. C2ty of Key West, 
ATLANTIC Ocran, March 16, 1307. 

Our *G@ubanyvisit is Otmyestc day ame 
are once more breathing the exhilarating 
air of freedom and peace, which through 
contrast awakens a deeper sympathy for 
the iron-bound, oppressed victims of Spain's 
intolerance. 

We were loth to leave our new-made 
friends on foreign shores, who had assisted 
us in passing the Custom House officials 
safely, armed as we were with books and 
packages, and escorted us for the last time 
in our waiting boat across the bay to the 
steamer, on which Dr. Burgess made a final 
LOUMMOMMINSDeCtIOI amNY Canc CMCmESO! Cal 
informal reception on deck, in which the 
ever vigilant Spanish officers and police 
played theimrole: 

They actually looked relieved when the 
signal was given ‘all hands ashore.” 

68 





FAREWELL TO CUBA. 





A FLAG FOR CUBA, Tia 


_ The breeze caught the last Spanish adzos 
that were spoken, and whispered them over 
and over again, while we, waving our fare- 
wells, watched the little sailboats carrying 
our friends back to the landing ; and then 
with our ship under full steam we began 
our northward trip. 

We sailed out of that beautiful harbor 
as the guns from the Spanish men-of- 
war and the forts on the encircling hills 
Signaleasetne hour of sunset, and the 
echoes reverberated from shore to shore 
across the bay. We uttered our final adzos 
to the quaint white city, with its towers 
and domes and buildings; to the bay with 
its forts and many ships all bathed in a 
flood of orange light; to the grand old 
fortress of Morro Castle, illumined by the 
sun’s last gleams, which spread a path of 
rose-gold light on a stretch of the blue- 
green Gulf, melting into the more brilliant 
glow where the waters kissed the sky. 


We watched the forts and hills recede 
from view until twilight shadowed the 
day, and then we watched the heaven's 


72 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


deepening blue, until gradually, one by one, 
the stars took their appointed places, like 
an army of brilliants, and we gazed for the 
last time on the beautiful constellation of 
the Southern Cross aslant the horizon; yet 
suspended, as it were, like an omen above 
Guba, thes Pearlolts the, Seas -eansomen sion 
victory and for freedom! 


ite ola NOs RSC WU BA 


“OQ Cuba! rarest, brightest gem 
That decks Atlantis’ diadem ! 
O star of constellation bright 
That beams upon our ravished sight!” 


Amonc the many beautiful titles bestowed 
upon Cuba, ‘Queen of American Islands” 
eadmeeeednl ot the “Antilles” are the most 
appropriate. Because of her fatal beauty 
and unbounded luxuriance she has been 
the coveted prize of many powers, but Spain 
has held with a dying grasp that priceless 
gem which Christopher Columbus set in 
her crown of possessions over four hundred 
years ago. 

Peatlmou thers intilles el he other less 
precious gems are Porto Rico, also under 
Spalish rule. )|)amaica~ a -Diitish posses- 
sion; and Hayti, or San Domingo, a negro 
republic. 

These islands comprise the group known 
as the Greater Antilles, the most important 

ie 


74 A FUAGSEO ReGU bas 


of the West Indies; the other two groups 
ave ities bahamas slancdcmandmthcmlecccen 
Antilles (British possessions). 

To get aclear impression of any object, 
we must have adistinct outline. Let us for 
a moment, clance mat sthocem\Viestam india 
Islands, large and small, which stretch out 
on that large expanse of sea between 
North and South America. ‘They extend 
in a curve, beginning near the southern 
extremity of Florida, and terminate prop- 
envy ate them Cmilisoiaatianmned amtllemc once 
of South America. 

The Bahama Islands are opposite the 
GastecOast Ol) EF loridasand ms cunedow ne inmea 
southeasterly direction, covering a distance 
of (o5o0mimiless 2Onlyweamtew sotetheslarcer 
islands are inhabited, one of them, New 
Providence, on which Nassau is situated, 
being well known as a winter resort. 

The Greater Antilles, consisting of Cuba, 
San Domingo or Hayti, Porto Rico, and 
Jamaicamextendm rome themurulteotm\lextco 
eastward into the Atlantic Ocean. The 
Lesser Antilles, or Carribean Islands, start- 
ing off the coast of Porto. Rico; extend 





MAP OF THE WEST INDIA ISLANDS. 





A FLAG FOR CUBA. ae 


east, then south and west, forming almost a 
@eencet half circle. 

Mountains of an elevation of from three 
thousand to four thousand feet appear in 
nearly all of these islands, exhibiting evi- 
dences of volcanic origin, though none of 
them are now active. We are told the 
general climate of the West Indies is not 
so torrid as its position would lead us to 
think. They lie within the tropics, except 
a few of the more northern of the Bahamas, 
but the influence of the immense bodies of 
water which surround them, the constant 
sea breezes which sweep over their surfaces, 
and the height of their inland elevation, so 
modify the intensity of the heat natural to 
their locality that the atmosphere in most 
parts is peculiarly uniform and agreeable. 

The lowlands of Cuba, covered with 
trees and dense foliage and creeping vines, 
retain their moisture to such an extent that 
noxious vapors arise, producing fever in the 
most virulent form; but on the upper plains 
and highlands here, as well as in the other 
islands, a remarkable condition of health 
prevails. 


78 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


Cuba is the largest of the West India 
Islands, and is the most westerly and the 
most luxuriant ; commanding, in its situa- 
tion, the Gulf of Mexico, eighty miles from 
Florida and close to Yucatan; the com- 
munication between North and South 
America, gives it a high commercial and 
political importance. 

It resembles a long narrow crescent, in 
form rather irregular, with acoast line of 
more than 800 miles on the convex side 
(north side),and more than goo miles on 
the concave (south side). Its area is about 
55,000, (sq Ualeusniilesmmeite mines ma tmeclic 
broadest point, 22 miles at the narrowest. 
A range of mountains, the Sierra Maestra, 
running along the whole southern coast, 
rises to a height of 800 feet above the sea. 

Innumerable short rivers, rising in an 
undulating plain, flow each way to the 
coast, irrigating the surface of the country 
and producing a vegetation of singular 
luxuriance. 

Most of the seaport towns and cities 
have magnificent bays and_ beautiful 
harbors. 


A HULAG SHOR, CUBA, 79 


Significant of its advantageous com- 
mercial position and its remarkable natural 
beauty and fertility, are such designations as 
the “Queen of Islands,” “ Key of the Gulf,” 
“Sentinel of the Mississippi,” “ Pearl of the 
Antilles,” “Gem of the American Seas,” 
which have been indiscriminately bestowed 
upon this enchanting island. 

Fertile beyond the conception of the 
greatest imagination, writers have been lost 
in a sea of poetic words to pen us pictures 
of its luxuriance. 

Our own great poet Longfellow wrote: 
“Cuba, that garden of the West, gorgeous 
with perpetual flowers, brilliant with the 
plumage of innumerable birds, beneath 
whose glowing sky the teeming earth yields 
easy and abundant harvest to the toil of 
man, and whose capacious harbors invite 
the commerce of the world. In the words 
of Columbus, ‘It is the most beautiful land 
that ever eyes beheld.” 

Cuba is second to no country in the 
wealth of her forests, with such precious 
woods as the mahogany, lignum vite, ebony, 
cocoawood, lancewood, acacia, bamboo 


80 ASEITAGIKORSGULA: 


towering sixty to seventy feet, cedar, and 
the palm—dqueen of the Cuban forest. 
The royal and cocoanut palms waving 
their long graceful fronds majestically on 
high are the most beautiful of all trees in 
the tropics, and the most conspicuous. To 
the careless observerstuey garepalinilarsiomn 
the royal palm, which is fruitless, looks like 
a smooth gray-white giant vase, swelling the 
least bit in the center, narrowing at the top, 
and holding a huge bunch of long waving 
ereen plumes, linhemtiunks ofstnes cocoa. 
nut palm is a darker gray, ridged in circles 
until it is lost in the fruit-bearing stems 
and drooping fronds. It is never devoid 
of fruit. With every change of the moon 
new formations are made in the shape of an 
elongated branch-like blossom, which gradu- 
ally changes its seed into tiny nuts, One 
tree will hold dozens of branches with the 
nuts in all stages of development; the 
young ones, filled with a delicious milky 
water, are very strengthening, the natives 
claim; in older ones the milk becomes 
jellied, and is used for custard and sauces; 
still older nuts have the solid white meat 





COCOANUT PALMS, 





A FLAG FOR CUBA. 83 


which we are familiar with in the north. 
The fiber of the cocoanut tree enters into 
the channels of industrial arts more and 
Mionemnaay by day,—wherever strength, 
Pieapleness,°and durability are desired. 
We read of it being used as a filler between 
the hull and armor of naval vessels, as well 
as between the decks. 

Pemonemiic trees are the orange, the 
lime, the thrifty fig, the nutmeg, the wide- 
spreading mangrove, with its delicious man- 
goes; other native fruits are the pawpaw, 
rusty-coated sapodilla, mamey, guava, ba- 
nana, plantain, guanabana (the strawberry 
of the Antilles), marafion, the alligator 
pear, peaches, grape fruit, pineapple, etc. 

In the central and western district im- 
mense fields of sugar-caner and tobacco 
stretch from shore to shore, and are the 
principal products besides coffee, cocoa, corn, 
rice, yuca, yame, sweet potatoes, vanilla, 
etc. Fish of every variety, delicious oysters, 
and turtles abound in the sea. Only one- 
sixth of the island of Cuba is said to be 
under cultivation. On the northern coasts 
are found immense deposits of salt, in other 


84 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


places immense beds of iron, copper, and 
coal. 

Birds of fine plumage, such as the mock- 
ing-bird, nightingale, the ruby topaz, the 
emerald, crested humming bird, the crimson 
maize bird, and hundreds of other varieties 
of land and water birds are found in great 
numbers. Wild animals are rarely found, 
and only of the smaller species. 

Themcities and | portasotmnewislan cme ne 
connected by railway. Cuba has a climate 
of almost perpetual summer ; no dry season 
is said to endure ; rains: arewmore irequent 
from “May.to) Novemberss, bor extreme 
temperature the warmest day is seldom 
above’ 95. the coldest never below 50. 
the mean temperature being about 77°. 


EAKLY SELDLEMENT., 


A little town, Nuevitas, on the eastern 
slope, was the first place where Columbus 
landed when he discovered the island, Oc- 
tober 28, 1492, and he took possession of it 
in the name of Spain, there planting his ban- 
ner with its heraldic emblem (comprising 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 85 


the arms of Castile (castle) and Leon (lion 
rampant), two kingdoms made one by the 
marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella; around 





aM 
| | 


= 
i 


SPANISH COAT OF ARMS. 


the outside is the grand cordon of the 
Golden Fleece, a chain of alternate steels 
and flints striking fire, with the fleece sus- 
pended beneath). 

Inall the countries Spain has ever dom1- 
nated one finds this Spanish coat-of-arms 
cut, carved, and emblazoned. 


86 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


Columbus named the island Juana, in 
honor of Prince John, the son of Ferdinand 
and Isabella. Upon the death of Ferdinand 
the island was called Fernandina; later 
Santiago, for the patron saint of Spain; still 
later the inhabitants gave it the name of 
Ave Maria, in honor of the Holy Virgin, 
but the old Indian name Cuba has asserted 
itself triumphantly for four hundred years. 

(Having searched for the meaning of the 
word Cuba, and finding no satisfactory 
definition, have concluded that it is a con- 
traction of Cohiba, the Indian name for the 
plant and leaf we call tobacco, the use of 
which was a confirmed habit among them 
when the island was discovered. They took 
the dry leaf of the plant and rolled it inside 
of another, lighted the end, and inhaled the 
fumes, which were said to have a stimulating 
effect, inuring them to long travels and much 
fatigue. ) 

Columbus found the Indian inhabitants 
of the island a kind and gentle race, whom 
he defended in his later expeditions against 
the cruel and merciless greed of the Span- 
iards, for which defense he suffered such 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 87 


ignominious treatment. They subjected 
the poor natives to physical coercion when 
showing the least sign of resistance in part- 





TOBACCO PLANTATION, 


ing with their riches. Columbus punished 
the offenders, which so exasperated the 
rapacious nobles that they plotted his ruin 
and sent him a prisoner in chains back to 


88 AVELAGTROR CUBA. 


that country which had so lately crowned 
him with honor and glory. 

Spain must ever suffer this disgrace of 
ingratitude, while the immortal memory of 
Columbus, the greatest discoverer, glows 
more brilliantly as the years pass into their 
Cyclerolguinc 

Peace to his ashes! which have been 
transferred from place to place, and finally 
interred beside those of hisson Diego, in the 
cathedral=otsblavanavonethateician as witch 
to him was enchanting in its beauty, intoxt- 
cating in its perfume of bud and flower, 
Spice. and balm, sand ain. the =sinoino of 
birds} =a, dreamlandvon Juxiutiantey craune 
Would that his spirit could defend success- 
fully the Cubans to-day, as he tried to defend 
the poor native Indian against the remorse- 
less Spanish greed four hundred years ago! 

Ins Vie Spain builtwherstirst  towneat 
Baracoa on the extreme eastern point, and 
since has held undisputed possession of the 
island, except when the English besieged 
and captured Havana and other important 
points in yi7o28andiheldmatheinmonemyect: 


This expedition was led by Lord Albe- 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 89 


marle, who landed near Havana with an im- 
mense fleet in June, but the heat and fever 
reduced the army to such a small number 
that defeat was imminent but for the 
timely arrival of five thousand men from 
New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, 
under the command of General Lyman and 
Lieutenant Colonel Putnam. With their 
assistance Havana was captured, August 
femaivermas stubborn resistance, andi-with 
it the Spanish surrendered one-fourth of 
Ciba ime loss in two. short months, to 
both British and Americans, was incredible. 
_Sickness and lack of care, with exposure to 
the unaccustomed heat of the tropics, wiped 
out almost the entire army. 

There was great scandal about the 
division of the spoils, the British officers 
taking the lion’s share. While under Eng- 
lish rule, Cuba was awakened from her 
stupor of centuries; negro slaves were 
brought from adjacent islands to labor ; 
sugar production was established, and com- 
merce encouraged. Yet in one year, for- 
getting the countless English and American 
lives that. were sacrificed in capturing Cuban 


go A’ FLAG FORDCUBA 


possessions, the British quietly and unex- 
pectedly yielded all these possessions back 
to Spain, and the details have never been 
handed down in_ history. 

Although hampered for years by the op- 
pressive restrictions characterizing Spanish 
rule, Cuba has gone steadily forward, and 
has ‘become her richést province export- 
ing annually seventy to eighty million 
dollars in tobacco and sugar alone. But 
Cuba does nor rreap sthempenciitascimien 
exportations ; the government exercised 1s 
so unjust and arbitrary that the greatest 
amount of revenue goes to Spain and to 
those of her officials on the island. 


THE, LOPEZ VAN D CRI IW ENDE NE ce DERION: 


The long continued Spanish oppression 
has developed a revolutionary spirit in the 
Cuban, which has asserted itself many 
times in this century, spreading alarm as 
well as sympathy, as was evidenced in the 
Lopez and Crittenden expedition of 1850, 
which resulted so fatally; both of these 
men fought to liberate Cuba, but they and 





A LIGHTER WITH CARGO. 





A FLAG FOR CUBA. 93 


most of their followers were fated to meet 
death at Spanish hands. Crittenden was 
Supe aictican and one of the youngest 
Henec mol thie) iViexican War. . Lopez; a 
native of Venezuela, had married a Cuban 
Ina@yeeand received \a. commission in the 
Spanish army, but was obliged to escape 
from the island on being discovered aiding 
the insurgents in a revolt. In the United 
States he enlisted the sympathy of young 
Crittenden and many others, whom he uncon- 
sciously led to their doom. The Spaniards 
captured their steamer FPamfero, by strat- 
eo wean the: three hundred “men were 
caught in the trap and mostly all executed, 
and as the object of the expedition was not 
disguised, no interference by the United 
States government could be made. 


LHD aVIRGINIUS® AMASSACRE. 


Another instance which aroused the sym- 
pathy of all America, and embittered the not 
too friendly feeling toward Spain, was the 
shocking massacre in 1873 of the American 


94 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


officers and crew of the V2zrgznzus, with 
Captain John Fry in command. 

The ship had a cargo of war material, 
secured at Port au Prince, also a list of pas- 
sengers, four of whom were later condemned 
as Cuban insurgents. While the ship was 
cruising in the neighborhood of the island, 
she was pursued by the Spanish 7ornado 
and captured) but not: until most= of the 
cargo was thrown overboard. When 
Captain Fry protested against detention on 
the ground of American rights, the Spanish 
simply trampled upon the American colors 


6 


and took the “pirate ship” to Santiago de 
Cuba, where in a court-martial trial the 
Cuban passengers, the American captain and 
crew were sentenced to death. In just one 
month from the day that they sailed from 
the United States’ shores, November 1, 
Lo 72 sixty divesmuad) beenescachiicctronatiic 
altar of Spanish vengeance. Too latecame 
thes itertercncemy MichtsaVecmtNcaliNecmOr 
those yet imprisoned, about one hundred, 
but Spain was not held to account for these 
deliberate executions, because ner technical 
rights barred any redress. She proved the 


AE EAG FOR TCU BA: 95 


evidence complete that the V7r-g7nzus was 
engaged in an unlawful enterprise, but on 
the demand of President Grant, through 
Congress, Spain surrendered the vessel and 
survivors to the United States. 


THE CASE OF THE “COMPETITOR, AND TREATY 
RICins, 


Only a year ago we were threatened witha 
parallel case; the schooner Comefetctor, from 
the United States, carrying ammunition 
and merchandise to the insurgents of Cuba, 
was captured by the Spanish on April 29, 
1896, and ten American citizens taken with 
her were thrown into prison at Morro Castle, 
Havana, court-martialed, and sentenced to 
death, General Weyler confirming the sen- 
tence: but the United States at once 
demanded of Spain postponement of the 
executions until the treaties were presented 
and considered, the State department 
insisting upon a retrial of the American 
citizens. Spain was given to understand 
that Americans are protected against drum- 
head court-martial trials, and that the United 


96 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


States would insist on the treaty obligations 
being performed. To refuse meant war. 
Accordingly the death sentence was revoked 
ancaaerettiqlecet alo Gan) linge leu. Oram COmene 
conducted by a civil tribunal with all the 
rights guaranteed by treaty. 

The critical point was passed and war 
averted) silady thes Cow petci07 as peciiaaa 
repetition of the Vzrgznzus horror, recog- 
nition of Cuban belligerency would have 
been declared, satisfaction demanded of 
Spain for violating treaty obligations, and 
the. fate ot, the visland swouldieiavew@bcen 
settled at once, for America is synonymous 
with victory. 

Intervention of our government is based 
on the treaty of 1795, and the protocol-of 
10772 thesformer @conceriscmsetthinowune 
rights of the two countries in case of war 
between either of the governments and 
some other power. ‘The seventh article pro- 
Videsrinatwitierstibjectorancic(aizenstolkeaan 
of the contracting parties, their vessels or 
effects, shall not be liable to any embargo or 
detention»on, the part-ofptherotheruian any, 
military expedition or public or private pur- 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. Q7 


_ pose whatever, and in all cases of seizures, 
detention, or arrest for debts contracted by 
any citizens of the one party within the 





THE CUSTOM HOUSE AT THE LANDING, HAVANA. 


jurisdiction of the other, the same shall be 
made prosecuted by the order and authority 
of law only, and according to the regular 
course of proceeding usual in such cases.” 
The protocol of conference and declara- 
tions, concerning iudicial procedure, signed 
at Madrid by the United States minister 
Caleb Cushing and Secretary of State 


98 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


Calderon y Callantis, January 12, 1877, was 
to terminate amicably all controversy as 
to) thevellect ol existinowticalicsmimcentain 
matters of judicial procedure. 

On the part of Spain the minister of 
state agrees that “‘no citizens of the United 
States “residing. diy opainwwnel sadjacent 
islands or her ultramarine possessions, 
charged with acts of sedition, treason, or 
conspiracy, or against the institutions, the 
public security, the integrity of territory, or 
against the supreme government, or any 
crime whatever, shall be subject to trial by 
any exceptional tribunal, but exclusively by 
the ordinary jurisdiction, except in the 
cases, of | being ‘captured = with arms in 
hand.” It was further agreed that ‘ those 
not captured with ‘arms in. hand’ shall 
be deemed to have been so arrested, or 
imprisoned by order. of the civil authority, 
forsthesetect olethestaweoten prilatecei6 on 
even though the arrest or imprisonment 
shall have been effected by armed force.” 
The Americans on the steamer Competzlor 
were not captured with arms in hand; at 
worst, they were caught smuggling ammu- 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 99 


_ nition and merchandise into Cuba, not yet 
declared contraband of war. 

‘Those engaged in running the cargo were 
liable to punishment as smugglers, and the 
legal penalty for smuggling even in Cuba is 
not death. 

The seventh article of the treaty of 1795 
provides that ‘the citizens and subjects of 
both parties shall be allowed to employ such 
advocates, solicitors and notaries, agents 
and factors, as they may judge proper, in 
all these affairs, and in all their trial at law 
in which they may be concerned before the 
tribunal of the other party ; and such agents 
snallshave free access to be present at the 
proceedings in such cases, and at the taking 
of all examinations which may be exhibited 
in the said trial.” 

dinecmprotecolnol 1877) goes into more 
detail. It provides that whether the trial 
be before a civil tribunal or court-martial, 
(ine Marties saccuscd aresallowed to. name 
attorneys and advocates, who shall have 
access to them at suitable times; they shall 
be furnished in due season with copy of 
accusation and a list of witnesses for the 


100 TANELAG FORSGUPAG 


prosecution, which latter shall be examined 
before the presumed criminal, his attorney 
and advocate, in conformity with the pro- 
visions of articles 20 to 31 of the said law 
OHaGereth acy, wes, 

“They shall have right to compel the 
witnesses, of whom they desire to avail 
themselves, to appear and give testimony, or 
to do it by means of depositions; they 
shall present such evidence as they may 
judge proper, and they shall be permitted 
to be present and to make their defense in 
public trial, orally or in writing, by them- 
selves or by means of their counsel.” 

No matter what the offense of the con- 
demnationamaccocd 10 gest Om Ul cammma b Oia 
PME nica timc! lizellomes OU Lc manly 1iCmmme cin 
right accorded them by international law, 
as, existing = between) Wnitedssstatesm and 
Spain. 

It was after this filibustering affair that 
President Cleveland issued his proclama- 
tion on Cuba, explaining the neutrality laws 
ANS sive meine ley tins “Skea (Come, 
warning all citizens of the United States 
and others within their jurisdiction that all 





IN THE VICINITY OF THE COLUMBUS MEMORIAL. 


aa Se 4 »:] . fi ¢ 
a & ra) ‘ A 
} Ves, Jy 

Led 2 : <?, Fr j y 


bd 


' me, 4 hs 
ak Cie 
is 





A FLAG FOR CUBA. 103 


violations of these laws would be vigor- 
ously prosecuted. 

Spain offsetting this, at the same time 
proclaimed a reward of ten thousand dol- 
lars for any information leading to the 
capture within Spanish waters of a filibus- 
tering expedition. 

The last session of Congress during 
President Cleveland’s term was concerned 
with the Cuban question ; joint resolutions 
were offered in Congress calling upon the 
Wiiecmotatcs-) Executive. to) recognize 
Cuba’s independence, and take speedy 
action to end the war on the island. 

There were many debates in the House 
GConcermine ~Secretary Olney’s statement, 
that the Constitution does not empower 
Congress without the President’s authority 
to recognize the independence of a for- 
eion country. Six months have passed 
Since eangudiewiate, on the island tis) still 
unsettled. 





THELEN AVEARSHE WAR: 


At the outset of the Ten Years’ War in 
1868, the Cuban revolutionists, or reform 


104 AW EDAGs FORSGUBAS 


party, published a Declaration of Independ- 
ence, in which they cite their grievances 
as the cause of their rebellion, and which, 
though modified, are the same_ to-day. 
Hkaken strom vet temas COly emo lee Coby aaen 
Murat Halstead: 

“The Cuban Declaration of Independ- 
ence publisheds@ ctobermomi1co 7. 

“In arming ourselves against the tyran- 
nical) “government “of Spain,» weepmuse, 
ACCOLdIN em tOme plececen temiliueallmmcivilized 
countries, proclaim before the world the 
CAUSe mthatuii pels) Us sutOmtacmUiicmc lel 
which, though likely to entail considerable 
disturbances upon the present, will insure 
the happiness of the future. 

“Tt is well known that Spain governs 
the island of Cuba with an iron and blood- 
stainecsnandmemelinestornermmnoldceunes atten 
deprived of political, civil, and religious 
libettiviewenencesstOcmmUnTOntIntemm@ bans: 
being illegally prosecuted and sent into 
exile, or executed by military commission- 
erominmiiiewOl speacemm cNCcmilc Imbel. 
kept from public meeting, and forbidden to 
speak or write on aflairs ol) state whence 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 105 


their remonstrances against the evils that 
afflict them being looked upon as the pro- 
ceedings of rebels—from the fact that they 
are bound to keep silence and obey ; hence 
the never-ending plague of hungry officials 
from Spain to devour the product of their 
industry and labor; hence their exclusion 
from public station, and want of oppor- 
tunity to fit themselves for the art of gov- 
ernment; hence the restrictions to which 
public instruction with them is subjected, 
in order to keep them so ignorant as not to 
be able to know and enforce their rights in 
aiyeesmape or form whatever; hence the 
navy and the standing army, which are 
keptaine their country at an enormous 
expenditure from their own wealth, to 
make them bend their knees and submit 
their necks to the iron yoke that disgraces 
them; hence the grinding taxation under 
which they labor and which would make 
them all perish in misery but for the mar- 
velous fertility of their soil.” 

The reform party which published this 
declaration consisted of most of the influ- 
ential Cubans, and they strained every 


106 AVELAG BORECUBA: 


resource petitioning the Spanish govern- 
ment to make the necessary redresses in 
her Cuban’ policy, but she paid) not the 
sliohtest heed ; on the contrary, she exacted 
increased taxation; the revolt then assumed 
the proportions of earnest war and stretched 
over a dreary length) ol tent years sumer 
1878, when the Treaty of Zanjon termi- 
nated that long and unsuccessful struggle for 
liberty. This treaty was a compact made 
by Spain and accepted by Cuba through 
General Campos (there were rumors of 
bribery econcerming at)jan 2 palnitries ato 
prove through her Liberal Autonomist 
party, which condemns this present revolu- 
tion, that) she has been more than -just in 
carrying out her compact or treaty, but the 
insurgents declare the said compact a 
“snare and a delusion”; that only the dress 
of her policy was changed, with lavish 
promises of reform, but- not the policy 
itsela witeis the sanienold inightmarestinder 
other forms, not quite so bold, but the sub- 
stance is real flesh and blood, and quite as 
hideous. 

Gradually the shadow of the truce van- 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 107 


ished completely, hence the sad state of the 
island to-day, and the insurgents claim that 
if Spain had used the least bit of mercy in 
reducing taxation when the financial con- 
dition of the island two years ago was so 
very low, and made them a partial loan on 
their debt—had she only been true to her 
compact of 1878, then she would not have 
brought this trouble upon herself—to learn 
the lesson all over again. 





DHE: NATIVES. 


Nearly one million of the people on the 
island of Cuba are white, of the same race, 
tongue, and religion as Spain, and it seems 
unnatural that children should fight against 
the mother country when they have been 
tied to her apron string so long, but Spain 
has proved herself incapable of a motherly 
feeling. The colony of golden products 
could have been retained in loyalty if kind- 
ness and consideration had replaced tyranny 
andy Oppression. s weQneiremspirits,«. broken 
under the yoke, could tolerate the bondage 
no longer. ‘Too late now for redress ; and 


108 A FLAG FOR CUBA. ~ 


it must be a bitter lesson to Spain—her last 
treasure-child to spurn the lifelong pro- 
tection (?) in such a public rebellious way. 

Those born on the island, white, black, or 
mixed, are called Cubans—mostly of Span- 
ish and negro descent, and are known as 
the natives; the Peninsulars are those 
Spaniards who have adopted Cuba as their 
home, but according to Cuban sentiment 
are neither natives nor Cubans. A strong 
sympathy has united the Cuban whites and 
blacksem they) livem inespertectwananonny: 
Fighting for common rights has removed all 
race or party faction; they are one in inter- 
ests and desires—the freedom of their 
loved island home. The proportion in 
population is a little more than half white; 
they claim a small white majority in each 
of the six provinces. 

Out of the one million six hundred thou- 
sand population of Cuba, there are said to 
be sixty thousand volunteers who fight for 
Spanish supremacy, and oppose most 
fiercely. the independence of the island. 
They are considered by the insurgents to be 
Cuba’s most remorseless enemies, 





SPANISH SOLDIERS AT THE MAIN BARRACKS IN HAVANA. 





A> FUAG FOR CUBA. 1s I 


_ The znusurgents are those in open re- 
bellion. 

The paczficos are those Cubans who tried 
to preserve a neutral ground, but have been 
the victims of such a cruel fate. 

When General Weyler took command, 
he issued that unfortunate order which 
femitcameso fatally to. many, of these 
pacificos, and to the island as well. 

The edict went forth, that all living in 
the country would be considered insurgents 
unless they sought refuge within a specified 
time inthe nearest fortified town. Scarcely 
had time been given them to comply with 
the order when hundreds were imprisoned 
and murdered as insurgents by Spanish 
guerrillas and soldiers. The remaining 
pacificos were brought into Spanish quarters, 
their huts and houses burned, their gardens 
laid waste, that the insurgents might have 
no benefit from them; this strenuous com- 
mand with its deadly results made the 
rebellious spirit crop out of many pacificos, 
who in place of obeying the order joined 
the army of insurgents, many women fol- 
lowing husbands, fathers, and brothers. 


112 ANEDAG PORRCU BAS 


Only those who had no other alternative-— 
women with children, the weak and infirm, 
submitted to be housed, fed, and protected 
by the Spaniards. And what protection 
have they received? NHerded in towns or 
ALOUNC mathe Monts in wdUarlersm nO UiLieetO G 
cattle: no sanitation: no care: little food: 
sickness and disease spreading rapidly; yel- 
low fever and smallpox carrying off hundreds, 
while pure air and a clean habitation might 
have savedthem. Is this civilized warfare ? 

The insurgent, unconscious of the suffer- 
ing and starvation in his family, which is 
supposed to be enjoying Spanish hospital- 
ity, roams among the hills of his native 
isle breathing thespures ain ofehealthwand 
growing stronger every day in the force of 
his convictions for freedom, while with his 
machete or knife he can keep starvation at 


bay. 


NANIGOS, THE OUTLAWS OF CUBA. 


The ignorant denounce the insurgents 
as an army of robbers, cut-throats,-and 
incendiaries, confounding them with that 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 113 


lawless band of miscreants called nafiigos, 
who, by their murderous outrages and 
plunderings, have intensified the horrors of 
the present war. IJhey are a band of out- 
laws similar to the Mafia in Italy; their 
bond of union is murder, which crime 
alone makes them eligible for membership, 
and as soon as they can show the bloody 
knife with which they have slain their victim, 
they become full fledged members and are 
then supposed to be qualified for the most 
fiendish acts or crimes. 

The island for years has been infested 
with these scoundrels, who are responsible 
for many of the robberies, desecrations, and 
murders attributed to the insurgents and 
Spaniards. They care neither for Spanish 
rule nor Cuban independence, and kill and 
rob Royalist or patriot with equal readiness. 
They have occupied the highways, and have 
been more bold in their bloody deeds and 
outrageous devastations because of the 
internal disorders. 

This brigandage, which has been rife all 
over the island, is one of the most deplor- 
able misfortunes of this war, but General 


Tai. A (FRAG KOR .eUBA. 


Weyler has done one good turn to the 
Cubans in almost entirely suppressing these 
bandits. 

By strategy he has captured one band 
after another, and shipped them off the 
island for penal service in Spain’s African 
colony. 

While in Havana last March we watched 
one of the Spanish steamers in the harbor 
take On 7ascaroo Of humaneaiteiontw tive 
hundred of these murderous nafiigos, all in 
chains and in their taces one could: cead 
the? story (of: their bloody= crimes) Uivey 
seemed to be the mongrel offspring of the 
G@ubane race: 


THE, “PRESENT STRUGGLE; AND ©METHODS OF 
WAR. 


In February, 1895, this present war broke 
out one month alters tas barch a> pain 
issued its manifesto of reform in its Cuban 
policy, to be adopted as soon as parts of 
the island were pacified. Rumors were rife 
this spring that the day was at hand, but 
there is no evidence yet of any pacification, 





THREE SPANISH MEN-OF-WAR, HARBOR OF HAVANA, BEFORE SUNRISE. 





De eUAGehORSGUBA. EL, 


_and the manifesto has had little effect. The 
insurgents saw in it only a gilded tyranny, 
Pe@eenmpromises in the past, broken 
Peourecomin the future, ' Cuba's ‘faith «in 
Spain has been crushed; yes, killed— 
beyond the point of revivifying. Spain 
has always made her offerings in times of 
War very attractive and tempting, but 
dead-sea apples they have proven in the 
end. 

The liberty-loving Cuban, with his past 
experiences, cannot be tempted even with 
meccrogmmio matter in how-attractive a 
tesseiteappears; he is willing to die jfor 
ieeaem Liberty or death! 

Death rules the very island itself, through 
smallpox and yellow fever, starvation and 
want; yet these are not so deadly as the 
spirit of oppressive rule, which has resulted 
in barbarous warfare, starving, crushing, 
and killing the very life of the island; the 
innocent blood that has been shed and 
mingled with the ashes of seared and 
blighted unharvested crops must ever 
remain a blot upon Spanish war methods. 

The whole of the island is involved in 


118 AV FLAG -FORSCUBA: 


this great struggle, the insurgents occupy- 
ing the hills and plains through the coun- 
try, but with no permanent headquarters. 
The Spanish hold the cities, the seaports, 
inland towns, and the lines along the rail- 
road; all being ssecurelyelortined saeiiey, 
have worked witha will and a purpose, cut- 
ting many roads through deep jungles, and 
constructing forts in most commanding 
Places eu elncmlatlene dicttibutecmoy cian: 
island, are garrisoned by a handful of 
soldiers securely sheltered and fed, who 
ward off the insurgents’ attack by firing 
through loopholes in the bullet-proof 
masonry walls; but, not being expert marks- 
men, they fail to make any serious impres- 
sion on the rebels. 

The rebels have been known to lie in 
ambush near the forts and wait for the 
appearance of the defenders; and with 
their rifles, being typical sharpshooters, they 
pick off one after another of the Spaniards 
as easily as plucking with the hand an 
apple from an overhanging bough. 

The fortifications are so constructed that 
they encircle the cities and towns, and the 


ATP LAG SFOR -CWBA: 119 


strictest discipline is maintained to prevent 
communication with the outside country. 

The trochas are supposedly impassable 
lines stretching north to south from shore 
to shore, built for the purpose of blockading 
the rebel armies, but all of us have read how 
Gomez and Maceo crossed them successfully 
Sseverai times,’ Phe trochas*are said to be 
an indescribable jumble of fallen trees, 
winghiave ‘been felled for the purpose 
of obstruction, with banks of earth, and 
endless stretches of barbed wire intricately 
suspended and carried for hundreds of yards 
along the ground in different directions, 
each wire connecting with bombs which the 
slightest disturbance would explode, making 
gpcdcathitrap iorsany) trespasser, lefyalone 
the insurgent. 

iicmeiiaUllerMmOlmmWwallare mcatiicds on 
between Spaniard and insurgent—ambus- 
cades and guerrilla attacks, with no open 
field encounters—is due to the lay of the 
irregular and mountainous country, which 
is so well adapted for these hide and seek 
methods. 

The hills are covered with dense forests 


120 ABM UAGEEO RGU EAS 


and jungles, the plains with grasses and 
bushes towering to man’s height; the low- 
lands are marshy. The Cubans of course 
know well every crag and crevice and path, 
and are secure from pursuit or discovery, 
for the Spaniard will not risk treading on 
unknown ground until the guerrillas have 
first reconnoitered; the reconnoisance gener- 
ally resulting in the atrocious attacks on the 
insurgents that have been reported from 
tines LOmiine wa bere @arcenomele tum) aie 
where army can be led against army, except 
on the now devastated plantations. 

It seems reasonable to conclude that due 
to these causes is the indefinite continuance 
of this struggle; the Spanish, secure in 
their fortifications, send out daily a band of 
guerrillas and a flying column to survey 
the outlying districts, which return to their 
garrisons at night; if the insurgents have 
left their mountain retreat, to burn or 
raid in the neighborhood of Spanish forts, 
and fearlessly present themselves, a skirmish 
ensues; that satisfies the code of Spanish 
warfare—Spain does not pursue the enemy. 
If at the outset of this rebellion she had 





A RESIDEN 





~ AVENUE IN HAVANA. 


’ \ 7Y 
Aly ay 





AS FLAG HOR CUBA. 123 


taken her troops into camp on the fields 
of action and pursued the insurgents, she 
would have quelled the rebellion long 
before this, but she little dreamed it 
would spread so rapidly and be so serious. 
Semouomitamust impress. her, for she is 
still building fortifications, and in every 
way defending her property rights by land 


endmmvater ohe is building .and” not 
hohting, meaning to exterminate the insur- 


gents by starvation; but the western shore, 
north and south, is marked by coves and 
islands, well sheltered, from which the 
insurgent makes his depredations by water 
and where supplies are brought; and if the 
filibustering continues (having so far been 
carried on most successfully in spite of 
Uncle Sam’s watchfulness), or any more 
Spanish supply ships, like the De/za captured 
September 24, 1896, come in his path, we 
need not worry over their prospects of 
starvation, and while the Spanish armies are 
immobile the insurgents are not wasting 
their short supply of ammunition. 
Shiploads of supplies, cattle, and horses 
are brought to the island almost daily for 


124 AS EPLAGS FORSCUBA. 


the Spaniards, but none for the insurgents, 
except what the Cuban juntas in foreign 
lands send on the filibustering steamers. 
Along the ‘keys of Florida we have 
witnessed several exciting runs between the 





“ THE THREE FRIENDS.”’ 


Uinitedmotatecmorlicetomancm-onlemolmillece 
steamers, notably that of 7e 7 hree Friends, 
Whichesincemt he saci mOme\ la rc 5G alae 
longer engaged in that unlawful(?) enterprise. 


i io PANTS Ee RM Ver NGS GOB S 


Dhemisland of Guba vconstititessamsingle 
S 
Spanish province under the government of 


Am tUACH HORS CUBA, 125 


a captain general, sometimes referred to as 
governor general. Since the last war, 1878, 
it has been divided into six lesser provinces, 
with a sub-division into judicial districts. 

The provinces, beginning at the western 
end of the island, are Pinar del Rio, where 
Maceo made his headquarters ; then comes 
Havana, Matanzas, Santa Clara (about 
central), Puerto Principe, and Santiago de 
Cuba, the eastern province, and where 
Gomez landed when he took command of 
Giiegeiberatino army. spain is a military 
government, her laws being enforced by 
arms; and the captain general—a military 
chieftain who is the exponent of the law of 
Spain—is supreme in power. 

When the rebellion started in February, 
1895, General Martinez Campos was cap- 
tain general; but Spain not deeming him 
capable of subduing the insurgents after 
his unsuccessful efforts of a year, recalled 
him and appointed General D. Valeriano 
Weyler to command. During the transfer 
General Marin from Porto Rico filled the 
executive office. General Weyler, the cap- 
tain general, is commander-in-chief of the 


126 A FUAG BOR: CUBA: 


Spanish army at the present writing (spring 
of 1897). The troops consist of one hun- 
dred and fifty thousand men from Spain— 
Cuba giving sixty thousand volunteers. 
These volunteers are mostly Spaniards who 
have been on the island in military service, 
to so escape the five years’ service in Spain, 
for enlistment in Cuba is only of three 
years’ duration. 

In order to offset the prominence the 
Cuban blacks have attained in the insurrec- 
tion, General Weyler has given them due 
consideration in the army, claiming his 
policy is the same to white and black. His 
bodyguard is composed of blacks, and a 
number of the guerrillas are black; a band 
of which is attached to each battalion of the 
army, their chieftain being Benito Cerreros. 

In not a few cases where the Spaniards 
have claimed bloody victories, they proved 
to be nothing short of murderous assaults ; 
the guerrillas mistaking the pacificos for 
insurgents, or,hungering for blood, butchered 
those unarmed and _ unresisting victims, 
whose only crime was that of being outside 
the fortified limits. 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 127 


And then we read of Spanish feasting and 
merrymaking after such atrocious deeds, 
reminding us of the savage Indian tribes, 
in their hideous war dances, besmeared 
with blood, waving aloft the scalps of their 
enemies. In a civilized nation we do look 
for civilized warfare. 

Siggemtne outbreak of, the war ‘many 
Spanish soldiers as well as officers have 
succumbed to the scourge of fever and 
cholera which came with last season’s rain. 
In certain localties the death rate among 
them averaged thirty a day, their ranks being 
thinned also by the unsanitary condition of 
their barracks and forts, yet Spain is con- 
scious of nothing but that Cuba, her richest 
province, is her last American possession ; 
il eco cmLOmituwithean death, orasp; the 
thought of being forced to part with sucha 
vem of her own finding, makes fighting for 
it a most determined struggle; wholesale 
loss of life among her soldiers, and even the 
loss of millions, are of no consequence to 
her if she can only retain her power over 
the Queen of Islands. 

In this present struggle Spain has 


128 ATELAGIEOR: CUBAS 


already spent over two hundred million dol- 
lars, maintaining an army numbering over 
two hundred thousand; but until all avail- 
able funds are exhausted, her credit gone, 
or disease wipes out the army, she will con- 
tinue her tyrannical rule unless the United 
States interfere. 

France spent millions of lives and dollars 
to retain possession of her West Indian 
island, sbLayti, and had@to sy 1eldes tanec 
end; her loss was apparent from the begin- 
ning, but through all time just so much 
blood has had to be shed to gain the victory 
of freedom. 


ELE GUL AN SA RIG: 


Cuba in this war has spent two million 
dollars, and has raised an army of seventy 
thousand men, forty per cent. black and 
sixty per cent. white, divided into the army 
of invasion and the army of occupation. 

The president of the revolutionary gov- 
CrNnmente icevlatrquismdcmoantas mt clay wmetiLe 
vice president, Bartolomé Maso. General 
Maximo Gomez (white), the grand old 


oo 
Se 





A PASSENGER BOAT, HAVANA BAY. 





A FLAG FOR CUBA. 131 


man of the war, more than seventy years 
of age, is commander-in-chief of the liber- 
ating army. He has been a soldier all his 
life, and was noted for his courage and 
persistency during the last ten-year war. 
Porematy, years ihe has lived. iin San 
Domingo, or Hayti, with his wife and 
family, and there the insurgents proffered 
him the command of the Cuban army, which 
he accepted, and is now fulfilling as a most 
sacred trust. 

The patriots are struggling under adverse 
conditions—without headquarters, moving 
and operating without bases, depots, or hos- 
pitals, or objective points. Gomez outlined 
a policy at the beginning, clear, simple, and 
effective, and was aided by the invaluable 
services of the two Maceos (mulattoes), 
Antonio and José, brothers. Antonio was 
lieutenant general, and leader of the cavalry 
army of invasion which gained so many 
successful victories in the west end of the 
island ; but on December 7, 18096, while he 
was conferring under a flag of truce with 
the Spanish leader, Major Cerujeda, he was 
treacherously taken and murdered. Young 


132 AVELAG 2h O RS CUBA. 


Francisco Gomez, son of General Gomez, 
fell: beside Maceo in: battle, or was mur- 
dered with his brave leader. A few weeks 
ACC TOME nisueeviCl ta Onmmecenl Chea iemmmE Lc 
Cubans, without their great leader, under 
DrePedrot Ee Betancourt ebiloadiem ormtic 
patriot army, outgeneraled the Spanish in 
an all-day’s engagement near the town of 
Cuba Mocha, defeating and routing the 
Spaniards, who left one hundred and fifty 
dead on the field. 

José Marti was another ardent patriot 
who has taken his eternal stand among the 
army of Cuban martyrs, 

General Rivera has filled the vacancy 
made by the loss of Antonio Maceo, and in 
the western province has kept up a guerrilla 
warfare, while General Gomez is operating 
in the central provinces and General Garcia 
in the eastern— Santiago de Cuba. 

One| anuaty oe 100% athomuni ves meric 
daughters of the rebel leaders were thrown 
into: prison at Puerto Principe: 

At this time General. Gomez was march- 
ing westward, driving out the Spanish and 
burning their towns in Santa Clara. About 





A FLAG FOR CUBA. 133 


the same time General Weyler left Havana 
with ten thousand men, advancing toward 
Santa Clara, and ordering the destruction 
of all plantations and buildings in Havana 
Province that could shelter rebels, which 
measure elicited an immediate protest from 
Madrid. 

imeem tneot Pebruary, 1807, a decree 
was issued by Spain granting reforms, but 
the insurgents unconditionally spurned it. 
They are fighting for independence now, 
and not for reform. 

What the insurgents lack in discipline 
they make up in earnestness and patriotism. 
Their ranks are made up of lawyers, 
physicians, merchants, farmers, engineers, 
mechanics, etc. Men are in the ranks who 
have helped to burn their own sugar cane, 
their homes and property, in the cause of 
freedom. 

They have three attributes in common: 
they can sit a horse well, use their rifles as 
the best of marksmen, and wield the deadly 
machete. 

The machete is the sword of the Cuban; 
a heavy straight knife blade—curving toa 


134 ATELAG FORAGU BA, 


point—set in a bone handle. It is sharp 
AS eA NLAZOL MAN Cathe SC UDAltacmDeCOl Cm 
adept in the handling of it. The machete 
is not exclusively an implement of warfare ; 
itis wused inacutting the ssusancanemin 
clearing paths through jungles, and cutting 
the thorny brush and cacti of the plains. 
Even women are numbered among the 
insurgent army, many of them mulattoes. 
Clothed in men’s attire, fighting in the 
saddle, wielding the powerful machete, 
they are as brave and daring as the hus- 
bands, fathers, and brothers who _ protect 
and encourage them. Several women in- 
surgents have been taken prisoners and 
suffered such ignominious and inhuman 
freatimen tama cweeOl yea Cyl egcummns Naich 
Officerss SanldegmsoldicrSme te ™ecapablcmmon 
inflicting. 

The noble and “heroic. actions “of ‘the 
women from the outbreak of the war 
have elicited wide-spread sympathy and 
admiration. When at the first outbreak 
in the absence of their protectors they were 
left @theyssolestotiardian ) Giemthemsnome 
and -estate, and news came that ‘the 





CALLE OBISPO, THE PRINCIPAL SHOPPING STREET IN HAVANA. 

















as 


ALE CAGE O RoeCUBA. 137 


Spaniards were nearing their locality, they 
destroyed their crops and set fire to their 
homes, and with their babies fled from one 
town to another, destroying and burning as 
their enemy appeared, leaving nothing but 
ashes for spoils; and finally reached the 
camps of the insurgents where, enduring 
untold privations, they at least suffer no 
such ill-treatment and diabolical torture as 
is meted out to their unfortunate sisters 
in greater or less degree under the Spanish 
surveillance in the prison forts. 

iitemeaban women in the larger. cities 
‘and towns have shown their patriotism in 
many ways,—-supplying food, clothing, and 
money as fast as they could collect it, and 
running great risks in communicating with 
Bnewinsurcents, butesincesmore severe, dis- 
cipline is maintained under the iron rule of 
Weyler, all communications are cut off, and 
many are the broken and bleeding hearts 
mourning over the unknown fate of loved 
ones on both sides. ‘The women are said 
to hate and loathe the very name of Weyler, 
whose cruel and fiendish nature has asserted 
itself in so many instances, and it is no 


138 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


wonder that rather than submit to his power 
they have fled with the insurgents,—pre- 
ferring to die in battle or at the hands of 
cuerrillas. 

If all the reports are true concerning his 
brutal treatment of the Cuban women, his 
disregard for all moral laws, disposing of 
them among the officers like so much mer- 
chandise, and casting the poor helpless 
victims of his passion to his black slaves, 
murdering them and their children to “ ex- 
terminate the rebellious race,” then ought 
we, as women, to force our pleadings to the 
Capitol itself, and demand of our represen- 
tatives interference on Cuba’s behalf for 
this outrageous inhumanity. 


Nuratetlalsteadsanehisw otorysom@upds 
publishes a letter from General Gomez, 
written March 15, 1896, showing his at- 
titude to General Weyler: 


“He [General Weyler| is nearly worn 
out and hoarse from proclamation and 
speeches, and his military judgment is far 
inferior to that of General Campos, and we 


APEUAG POR? CUBA. 139 


have marched with even greater ease from 

one section of the country to the other. 
“Weylers coming. has benefited the 

Cuban cause in many ways. His record 











A PINEAPPLE FIELD. 


was against him, and the world knew that 
Spain intended to be cold-blooded and in- 
human when she sent him. The people of 
Cuba knew this also, and thousands of men 
who were not inclined to join one side or 
the other while General Campos remained 
are now bearing arms with our flag. The 
majority of Spaniards are not fiends and 


140 AGEL AGT PORS CUBA 


butchers by any means, and when a human 
devil is sent to lead them in the work of 
murder and outrage, they naturally refuse to 
follow him.. Although massacres have oc- 
curred, and although homes have been 
ruined and womanhood outraged by order 
of Weyler, the lovers of Cuba may thank 
God that he was sent to command Spain's 
army in Cuba. 

“We are charged with burning homes, 
destroying railroads, and laying growing 
fields waste—and the charges are in a mea- 
sure true. We have carried out such plans 
believing that in such a cause, and against 
SuUCIiean CheIny, wer Were aioli buteno 
man can truthfully say that we have out- 
raged God and love and humanity, even for 
liberty’s sake. 

aI aine theres tol leadmanmwanmnyeacaiiet 
Spain, against her army, her towns, her 
revenues, and I shall wage it so long as the 
Almighty Father gives me strength.” 


Although the Cuban colonies all over the 
world send ammunition, supplies, and a 
monthly remittance of three hundred thou- 


Neb AGerORVCU BA. I4]I 


sand dollars, still these are inadequate for 
all purposes. ‘The insurgents have not the 
power to force the issue of this war, and 
eiemopieed tO remain on the defensive, 
while Spain, instead of leading her armies 
into the field, spends her borrowed money 
to build more fortifications, and pay the 
double salaries of her officers and men who 
remain immobile. The Spanish soldiers are 
notina hurry for these emoluments to cease, 
and are quite indifferent to the outlook of 
continued strife, which, considering the 
irregular warfare and the mountainous 
-country, and Weyler’s policy to exterminate 
the insurgents by starvation or imprison- 
ment in the mountain fastnesses, is likely 
to drag along indefinitely, unless sufficient 
evidence of the total disregard of treaty 
rights and unwarranted ill-treatment of 
any American subject should be produced 
to necessitate a demand for immediate 
action on the part of the United States. 


CONSUL GENERAL FITZHUGH LEE. 


Our present consul at Havana, General 
Fitzhugh Lee, former Governor of Virginia, 


142 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


was appointed April 13, 1896, to succeed 
Ramon O. Williams resigned, and a most 
fortunate. (appointment Mit has = proved: 
This conflict between Spain and the insur- 
gents has demanded of an American repre- 
sentative that extreme tact and delicacy of 
handling which with other rare qualities 
General Lee possesses ; he is a born diplo- 
matist, dignified and military in his bearing ; 
handsome, genial, and with the courteous 
grace of a Chesterfield, he wins his visitor 
alsOnce: 

Newspaper artists and correspondents 
are unanimous in their praise of Consul Lee 
for the consideration he has shown them 
and for the policy he pursues in all official 
business. The cases where Americanized 
Cubans have assisted in the insurrection, 
and when captured used their American 
rights as a cloak of protection, have re- 
quired investigations conducted in sucha 
manner as to preserve the confidence of the 
Spanish Government, and have been more 
difficult of accomplishment than we imagine. 
However, aclash with Spanish authorities 
did come in February, 1897, over the mys- 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 143 


temous death in prison, on February 18, 
feoemor the Ainerican dentist Dr’ Ruiz. 
Oauemmetreneral Lee had ) previously de- 
manded the instant release and speedy civil 
trial of the American citizens unjustly im- 
prisoned in Cuba as political suspects, and 
sent in his resignation to the United States 
government unless they dispatched a war- 
ship to Cuba to enforce these demands. 

The subject was at once presented to the 
House and Senate, which passed joint reso- 
lutions peremptorily demanding the release 
of the American prisoners—Sanguilly and 
Scott being released at this time. 

Then came the inauguration of our new 
administration under President McKinley, 
who prevailed upon Consul Lee to wait 
until matters could be thoroughly investi- 
gated, which is being done at the present. 
Pending further developments, the Presi- 
dent urged an appropriation of fifty thou- 
sand dollars for the American residents of 
Cuba, who through the wholesale destruc- 
tion of plantations, fields, and buildings 
have lost everything, and are said to be in 
ciremneec, 


144 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


It was not generally known that the 
American interests on the island were quite 
so extensive, representing millions of dollars, 
which have been swept away by the torch 
of the Spaniard. 

Weyler, suspecting that American prop- 
erty-holders were in league with the insur- 
gents, or that by the continuance otmtic 
mills and industries controlled by Ameri- 
cans the insurgents might be _ benefited, 
under some pretext or other closed the fac- 
tories, shut down the mills, and in some 
cases had the property with all the valuable 
machinery destroyed. 

Yet Spain posed as a protector to Ameri- 
can interests, and, blaming the destruction 
of property on the rebel army, offered the 
homeless and in many cases penniless Ameri- 
cans shelter and food—disease-stricken 
quarters,,and meager’ rations! Their sad 
condition and suffering have so increased 
that their cries of distress have reached 
our own shores. Several hundred families 
have already been assisted by the relief 
fund which Consul Lee is dispensing to 
the suffering Americans in Cuba. 








LEADING TO THE CITY GATES, HAVANA. 





ANH UAG FOR CUBA: TA 7, 


The latest press reports contain the clos- 
ing of the investigation of Dr. Ruiz’s case 
by Consul Lee and the special commissioner 
W. J. Calhoun, both of whom hold Spain 
responsible for Dr. Ruiz’s death. General 
Meeemreport states that Dr. Ricardo Ruiz 
was an American citizen, about forty-six 
years of age, dentist by profession, and re- 
sided with his wife and family in the town 
of Guanabacoa, four miles from Havana; he 
was arrested on the 4th of February, 1897, 
at his house, charged with being connected 
with an attack made by insurgents on a 
railroad train, January 16, 1897, at a point 
midway between Guanabacoa and Havana. 
The evidence of his most intimate friends 
and neighbors shows he was quiet and 
domestic in taste, a peaceful American 
citizen, and that on the night in question he 
was at a neighbor’s house and knew noth- 
ing of the attack until morning. 

He was thrust into one of the smallest 
cells in jail, in solitary confinement, with 
no comforts ; bedding and a chair brought 
by his wife were refused him, but they 
finally allowed him the chair, During his 


148 A FLAG FOR ‘CUBA. 


imprisonment nobody but the jailers ever 
saw him. February 4 he was carried alive 
to his cell, a well built, athletic, and healthy 
man, and at the end of three hundred and 
fifteen hours was brought out a corpse, the 
18th of February, 1897. The autopsy dis- 
closed a severe wound on the top of his 
head, which had occasioned his death. 

All investigation of the deathblow has re- 
vealed nothing, as the jailers will not testify 
to the truth, or implicate themselves; but in- 
quiry and interference by the United States 
must come because of the violation of treaty 
rights, since asan American citizen Ruiz was 
entitled to a trial by the civil courts. 

The treaty was violated in regard to the 
manner of his confinement, the law demand- 
ing that “ provisional imprisonment shall be 
made in the manner and form least prejudi- 
cial to the person and reputation of the 
accused,” also in regard to the length of his 
confinement over and above the seventy- 
two hour limit; while the manner of his 
death must ever remain the deepest mys- 
teryar SE Ommamlet(en Ome muro ilcm 
quote the following: 


Pet Oot OR CU BAS I49 


“The clothes that were returned to me 
after the killing of my husband include 
the hat, which bears unmistakable proofs 
of having been struck with a heavy club 
—-while the Spaniards claim he wore it 
when he beat his head against the prison 
walls—which is ridiculous; they also claim 
to prove that things were allowed him for 
comforts, when in truth they refused taking 
the necessary furnishings I brought, and not 
until the fourteenth day of his arrest did they 
permit him the steamer chair which Consul 
Lee has now in his possession, and which 
bears the last message to me and mine 
scratched with his finger nails on the rim 
across the back: ‘ Mercedes, Nene, Evange- 
line, Ricardito, Good-by, my children of my 
life, I give you my blessing; be obedient to 
yourmother. They will kill me. Good-by, 
Rita of my soul.’ 

“Spain cannot indemnify me for the 
death of my husband. Millions and mil- 
lions of dollars cannot secure his return to 
me. I can never hope to be indemnified 
fomeniommlUrcdenmoutmii we ciildrens cry ‘out 
even for the necessaries of life, and those 





150 Ava TiAG FOR CUBA? 


who took their natural protector from them 
should at least be made to provide for their 
bringing up. I know the United States 
government will not fail me. I have ever 
felt full confidence in this country’s ability 
and disposition to right the wrong that was 
done to me and my children for no other 
cause than that my husband and _ their 
fathenewastraa Citizen OlethisecOu nia maic 
delighted ins the factual lise nine tieatmeit. 
zenship was the only reason for his arrest; 
the only reason for his foul murder in his 
lonely cell in that foul Guanabacoa jail. 
Almost a month and a half had elapsed 
between the attack on the train and my 
husband’s arrest. During all that time he 
was not missed a single day or hour in 
Guanabacoa. If he had been in the attack 
the authorities would have known it the 
next day, and they certainly would have 
arrested him forthwith. Why, then, did 
they wait so long? The fact is that at the 
time that he was arrested there was a par- 
ticular strong feeling against Americans in 
Guanabacoa, and the Spaniards sacrificed 
my husband for no other reason. 








ENTRANCE TO THE CAPTAIN GENERAL’S SUMMER PALACE, HAVANA SUBURBS. 





Deb LA Ge EO Toa WBA, 156 


‘SRicardo was killed. He did not kill 
himself. He was not the sort of a man to 
despair and abandon hope. His message 
on the chair, scratched with finger nails, 
‘They are killing me, moreover, proves 
idabesue 


Witcmeectiz nas) filed =a claim. for one 
hundred and fifty thousand dollars with the 
Department of State, and she has the per- 
eoname- Urances ol, President’ McKinley 
Pnceeseeretary sherman. of their interest 
in this sad case. The claim rests not upon 
the fact that the Spaniards killed Ruiz while 
he was in jail, for the murder cannot be 
Proven oltitnes claim 1s*based “upon: the 
faetethatehe was. imprisoned more than 
seventy-two hours, the treaty limit, and 
having died in prison the Spaniards must 
accept responsibility and answer for his 
illegal imprisonment. 

In a letter to a friend in Mexico, General 
Weyler wrote recently : , 


ph erdspech Olstnem wane could 1dmmbe 
more satisfactory, as there are only a few 


154 AVEVAGS HO RSCUB AS 


handfuls of rebels in the western prov- 
ince, and their strength is failing ; peace 
may come sooner than expected, and the 
termination and complete subjugation of 
the enemies of Spain in the island is an 
event anxiously awaited by the sons of 
Spain in the Peninsula and in Cuba.” 


Ande vetminumthe siace solmtlicmcotiecmune 
report—that the war for food has begun in 
Havana, several small shopkeepers being 
murdered and the food stolen, while the 
Mone yemwas | leCulUnLOUchc Camm liqmicmmall so 
reported that the selling of cartridges to 
the insurgents 1s common in Havana Prov- 
ince, as the soldiers lack money for cigar- 
ettes and food. A captain, lieutenant, and 
fifty-eight soldiers have been condemned 
to be shot, because they sold arms and 
medicines to the Cubans. 


THE NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENTS. 


Spain’s actions have been sufficiently an- 
tagonistic in all that concerns Americans to 
demand retaliation ;and she hates us because 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. ys 


of our evident sympathy for the insurgent. 
She mistrusts every American man or 
woman in Cuba, and visible or invisible spies 
track one’s every step, and when opinions 
are expressed they must be uttered soffo voce. 
iPweneinen you tear the very walls -have 
ears, and that the commandante awaits you 
outside to marshal you to Morro Castle and 
imprisonment. 

Since Weyler has drawn his iron lines 
about all correspondents, confining them to 
the cities, preventing their movements into 
the country, and checking in this way any 
~further communication with the rebels, the 
news of the war has been rather disconnected 
andeuncertam, bt isto be feared that we 
do not appreciate the constant danger of 
those correspondents who are risking their 
lives to secure news from the insurgents’ 
camp, to supply the press, for our reading. 

We area cold, calculating, and indifferent 
public, critical only when our interests are 
concerned, and the hurry and scurry of 
business life make men indifferent to all 
outside their immediate circle; they skim 
over the surface of life in a hurricane 


156 2 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


wind regardless of the current beneath ; or 
trudge along in a laboring path, in which 
all efforts for life are purely mechanical, 








A NATIVE FRUIT CARRIER. 


with no heart, no soul! half of them need 
a good shaking up, mentally, morally, and 
physically. 

Sometime ago I had an expetichiceson 
a train in the South, which illustrates one’s 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 1577 


habitual indifference. I was one of a 
large number of passengers comfortably 
seated in one of the luxuriant coaches, 
indifferent to all else but that our destina- 
tion was only an hour’s run longer. After 
listening to some exciting experiences re- 
lated by one of the officials of the road, 
tee ended) tO me the privilege of “rid 
ing on the engine.” Accordingly, when the 
next stop was made, I was taken in charge 
and placed in command with the engineer, 
fOmemjovera) NOvel experience. It was in 
the darkness of night, with not even the 
flicker of a star in the heavens, when the 
great iron monster began to snort and puff, 
increasing its power and speed little by 
little, until the deafening roar of its gathered 
forces, and the opening and closing of the 
great furnace door every minute or two, the 
creaking of ties groaning under such pon- 
derous weight, and the echo of all thun- 
dering through the neighboring forests 
stunned my very senses. The road being 
very rough, made the rate of speed—forty 
miles an hour—seem greater than it was. 
Conscious only of the feeling that some 


158 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


mighty giant of limitless power was rushing 
me along in the unknown world to some 
fascinatingly’ dangerous fate, I yielded 
powerless, but with an intensity of sus- 
pense which, if continued, might have 
destroyed reason itself. But fortunately 
at this moment the engineer checked my 
bewildered senses, by pointing out through 
the blackness to a faint halo of light sus- 
pended’ over the city of our destination: 
Porthes huste time steamy alt em ibeoanmce 
realize what iron nerve and heroic courage 
an engineer requires to perform his duties. 
The slightest carelessness on his part, 
the least miscalculation in regulating the 
engine, would mean death and destruction 
to allsthoset committed ton hiss triste bis 
own fate, he said, ‘“‘rests with Providence, 
who is ever watchful.” Think of the ten- 
SlONe OnmHisuiite., theuconstanteanxictymonr 
di espleadinos: fallaneminswempnidocuma 
mountain slide, the innumerabie and un- 
dreamed) oly dangers = that dalla occum 
When our goal was reached I took the soot 
and dust-begrimed hand of the engineer, 
pressed it gratefully and reverently, and 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 159 


told him I never before understood his 
position, his responsibility. In the luxury of 
the modern coach we travel along, suffering 
no anxiety about the danger constantly lurk- 
ing in our way, and seldom ever give but a 
passing thought to that noble custodian of 
our lives who trusts in Providence, and does 
his duty sometimes at the sacrifice of his 
own life. 

I watched the hundred and more passen- 
gers who filed out of the depot past the 
huge iron monster, which still puffed as 
though chafing under restraint, and noticed 
that not an eye was turned in the direction 
of the engineer who had guided them so 
safely to this point. It is all the result of 
the habit of indifference which we cultivate 
unconsciously more and more every day. 

In reading the foreign dispatches from 
the present seats of war, Cuba and Greece, 
how many of us think with what great peril 
iiiewesames news, ise collected? “Among 
the past and present correspondents in 
Ciba, such “men as Sylvester -Scovel, 
iliomasm Ven oteeps, Grove Mlint, George 
Brousomukaes|onn I Rays (etc. iat (the 


160 AVP EAGIROR.O Ubinas 


risk of life have endured hardship and 
dangers worthy of a better cause. 

It is easy enough for those correspond- 
ents in Havana and other well fortified 
places to sit in their comfortable offices, 
where I saw them two short months ago, and 
pen accounts of skirmishes and battles; of 
atrocious cruelties practiced by the Spanish 
guerrillas and soldiers; of the rampages, 
robberies, and murders by the lawless 
bandits who infest the country broadcast, 
killing insurgent, pacifico, or Spaniard; of 
poverty- and disease-stricken natives dying 
by hundreds ; of the wholesale destruction 
of property, and the complete devastation 
of the island ;*.) repeat iti is “easyaenougdh 
to write of these things in secure quarters, 
with plenty to eat and drink, and a place 
fOMslCep arnt nom Cao clon Caen conics 
but those correspondents on the field of 
action (whose names have just been given), 
who seek news from the insurgents’ camp, 
by exposing health and life,—they are the 
ones whose services are not properly ap- 
preciated. Their self-imposed duties for 
the public press—for your information 





“THE TWO FRIENDS.”’ 


, . 
Lanes 
_s eae, 
a 


ay 


oe is f- > 





AMHUAG HORACUBA, 163 


-and mine—lie along most dangerous roads. 
For the insurgents’ camp is not of definite 
location, here to-day, there to-morrow, 
and all encountered outside the Spanish 
line, be they Cuban or American, are con- 
sidered insurgents and shot on sight. 

The field correspondent is a hunted deer, 
seeking his own food, suffering from want 
and exposure, in constant fear of death at 
the hands of the lawless bandits, or of mur- 
der by Spanish guerrillas. Once in the 
camps of the insurgents he endures their 
trials and struggles, and, not inured to 
their mode of living, must suffer untold 
privations. Then at the risk of life again, 
he plots and plans until he can send _ his 
communications from the camp to the 
Decco tier publiceacceptsoituas a matter 
of course, without a thought of the man, 
without a hope of his fate, without appreci- 
ation of his brave services on behalf of the 
American press ; even our own government 
fails to realize his endangered position, by 
not recognizing his duties as official. 

In a recent letter from one of these 
correspondents, Thos. W. Steeps, to the 


1604 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


press, we learn’ of) "his endurinom. thirty 
days of hard marching, and the attendant 
privations and dangers, before he reached 
Major General Calixto Garcia,—who, he 
writes, ‘stands at the headtol athe militia, 
activities of the Cubans, while Maximo 
Gomez represents the brains of the whole 





patriot movement. Gomez invents, plans 
and determines, Garcia fights the enemy, 
—and that he is only the second corre- 
spondent who has seen Garcia since the 
rebellion began. Consequently a, hearty 
welcome was extended to him, for Garcia 
has practically been exiled for months, 
and was eager for news, rejoicing in 
themcood jwishes ole all Saeimericans aout 
showing disappointment when he learned 
that our Congress had not yet matured its 
plans in regard to Cuba. Garcia, to quote 
from Steep’s letter, says: ““ Weare too weak 
to drive the tyrannical Spaniards from our 
distressed island. We shall never be able 
to overcome them by force of arms. We 
shall overcome them by force of persist- 
ency—by starving them out of the towns.” 

“Our offensive. movements,” -he_ said, 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 165 


Petave, been principally in the attack’ of 
convoys. The Spaniards still have garri- 
sons in a number of inland towns. 
beveshave not molested these towns 
simply because it would be of no practical 
advantage to us. Thisisthe situation: the 
Spaniards will not give up these towns, be- 
cause that would be an indication of weak- 
ness, and the Spanish officers would be 
severely reprimanded. ‘The garrisons cost 
Spain money, and we are making the war 
as expensive for Spain as we possibly can. 

“When a convoy comes out of a seaport 
town, we attack and harass it. We take 
its supplies and ammunition. I have taken 
emiiimbereot these convoys, 1 took one, 
the biggest one, on the Canto near Guamo, 
about the middle of December.” 

The taking of this convoy was the 
biggest thing Garcia has done, except the 
raiding of Guianaro. The correspondent 
remarks, “(Garcia iescettine very old,and 
he shows it; he has been a brave soldier, not 
GUL Varilieethisssbl teimetner ben) Yeats iW ar, 
during which he received a wound, the 
marks of which he still honorably bears.” 


166 A FUAG FOReCUBA: 


I was informed in Havana that not one- 
third of the startling news which blazed 
forth in huge headlines in our papers 
regarding the war had one word of found- 
ation of truth. Who is responsible? The 
blame has been put on the correspondent, 
justly or unjustly? I regret to repeat what 
was told me while there, that among the 
representatives of the American press that 
have come to the island since the outbreak 
of the war two years ago, some few were 
a disgrace to the United States, dissipated, 
losing sight of their mission, distorting news 
to suit their own liquor-crazed brains, sen- 
sational and devoid of every germ of truth. 

Onelin=particular.a’ mansotayeate msceln: 
ingly of good standing in his own com- 
MUNI Ly sue ACCeDtCCmnt le wrOlletaOimmmamacl ia 
known paper as its representative; but 
the Spanish wines and Castilian glove 
courtesies were too much for his shallow 
brain, and he became a common figure on 
the street, “drunk asa lord.” After several 
months of such conduct, when the truth 
reached headquarters, he was recalled. 

There” is) no} denying) ait; sprejucdices 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. 169 


against the newspaper correspondent have 
arisen from just such cases, where they had 
no regard for the manliness of their posi- 
tion and the trust they held, and so unfor- 
tunately many have to suffer for the 
grievous faults of a few, which is one of the 
cruel decrees of public opinion. 


SPAIN S DOMINATION. 


Spain, like no other European nation, 
Reseenemancient title of discoverer and 
colonizer, for which all powers respect her, 
but even this honor is being strained by 
her unjust tyrannical rule in her colonies,— 
the Philippine Islands and Cuba,—and the 
glories of past achievements are being 
darkened in the awful horrors of the pres- 
ent wars. 

From the very beginning she made 
Cuba a slave, limited her productions to 
such articles as Spain could not produce, 
then made her trade them for Spanish 
home manufactures, and taxed her for the 
Dev ieoem = bhee debt of they Den -Years: 
War, from 1868 to 1878, was assumed by 


WO A- FLAG, FOR CUBA. 


Spain and charged to Cuba, which has so 
crippled and choked the latter that it has 
even affected her Spanish proprietors, who 
with their load of interest-bearing debts find 
no profits for outside investment; yet this 
island province swells the Spanish official's 
purse, and is. an outlet for Spain's cruel 
and dominating power. Wiauth no tobacco 
and sugar tosell there has been, and there ts 
likely to continue for some time, an annual 
falling off of one hundred million dollars, 
which means a loss to Spain of one million 
dollars a= month srnpevevenucse=s denrotien 
existing conditions this war means a loss 
to America of over five million dollars 
annually. 

The Cuban theory at the outset of this 
struggle was to lay the lands -waste, and 
in an agricultural and commercial sense to 
ruin the island. Maceo marched from east 
to west, burning the sugar-cane and the 
golden leaves of the tobacco fields, and as 
industry ceased, the laborers joined the 
insurgent army with their machetes and 
horses. 

Productive. Cuba was ruined - for, the 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. Ll 


Spaniard as well as for the Cuban, but the 
latter s consolation lay in ‘the chance.of 
gaining liberation more readily by im- 
poverishing Spain in the destruction of 
her resources. 

The torch has been mightier than the 
sword to bring about this sad condition of 
the island to-day—for Spaniard as well as 
Cuban have played the same game, but 
with a different purpose. 

The result is that the island is a wide waste 
of ruin, misery, and desolation; plantations 
with their gold producing crops completely 
devastated ; a hundred millions of dollars in 
machinery burned and destroyed; millions 
lost in the neglected soil, so ready to yield ; 
business ruined; towns depopulated ; lives 
sacrificed ; homes and hearts broken. 

It will take more than a score of years, 
should the war cease now, to restore the 
island to its former productive use, its manu- 
factures and its industries. 

The land must change owners before it 
can yield an income; even should Cuba liber- 
ate herself,—though it seems impossible for 
her,to overthrow the Spanish power unless 


172 AM PLAC BOR. CUBA, 


aid comes from some external source,— 
she is so impoverished, almost beyond the 
hope of recovery, that she can do nothing 
without financial help at once. 

This leads up to the question of annexing 
the asland. of Cuba ito ‘the -U nited: States. 
the majority of Americans favoring it. Yet 


‘ 


I was told the majority of Cubans “want 
independence and not annexation.” They 
are silently appealing to the United States 
for a helping hand to make them rulers of 
their own island. It is the hope:of all 
classes, “the expressed desire of allsouciness 
men in Havana, that our government will 
interiere on -thein behali, wanciesstopmt we 
effusion of more blood and the further 
wreckage of the island. 

Of peculiar significance is the fact that 
Spain, which at one time was the center of 
European nations, now Jags in the rear, 
verging back almost into the depths of sav- 
agery, and delighting in unusual and vicious 
punishments in this advanced day of civili- 
zation. She refuses to recognize the laws 
of humanity, or the force of public opinion, 
by protecting and encouraging Weyler’s 


A FLAG FOR CUBA. E73 


butcher-like and tyrannical government. 
For this reason, if there were none other, 
it becomes a matter of humanity to drive 
@paiteitom the shores of America. 

The republic of Bolivia in South America, 
which has no seaports to defend, has recog- 
nized Cuban belligerency, showing the sym- 
pathetic feeling toward those struggling for 
the right of self-government. 

We have not yet taken that step, for with 
us it would mean, in the face of the neutral- 
ity laws, which of course the government 1s 
bound to respect, casting the Cuban adrift 
dependent upon his own resources, which 
erow daily less. In not acknowledging 
them: bellicerents, lies the hope of every 
American that our government will yet 
fitertere sand» put ‘an end to this cruel 
massacre of lives. 

But days and months are passing and 
the government at Washington has not 
taken a step—has not lifted a finger to 
help the Cubans. How much longer must 
they suffer and wait? Surely the United 
States has had provocation enough to 
demand redress, for some of her own citi- 


1A: AT eA CaO) he © Urbane 


zens have been imprisoned, injured, killed, 
and their property destroyed. Conscience 
and commerce demand interference, and let 
it come before it is too late; before we lose 
the respect of other civilized nations, who 
are awaiting this step with interest and 
sympathy. Leteus not loses srahtsotmrnc 
fact that little Cuba is struggling hard for 
liberty, and we, the “big nation,’—who 
alone can lelp her,—stand idly by, look- 
ing unconcernedly at this murderous war- 
fare—the cruelest war on the rollgmoima 
century. 

Many have declared against Cuban inde- 
pendence, ssayine = hler speoplemarceot 
qualified for self-government.” That was 
what "the :royaliste said of the s\meniean 
rebels, “iat 1s the plea “of tyrantsmyiien 
and wherever a people has revolted against 
the monstrous doctrine of the divine right 
of kings. Spanish misrule has developed 
in the Cuban an understanding and ap- 
preciation of those governing qualities the 
absence of which makes slave tyranny. 
If the insurgents model their self-govern- 
ment along the lines which Spain does 


AVSPLAG FOR-CUBA, Wes 


not tread, they will never be guilty of 
misrule. 

We cannot judge what success they will 
make at self-covernment as long as they 
aresbound ‘by the iron rods of slavery. 
More than seventy years ago Macaulay 
said: “‘ Many politicians of our time are in 
the habit of laying down, as a self-evident 
proposition, that no people ought to be free 
MWene vere tit tO use their freedom. The 
maxim is worthy of the fool in the old story, 
who resolved not to go into the water until 
fesnadeearned to swim. “If men-arerto 
wait for liberty till they become wise and 
good in slavery, they may indeed wait 
POnec ie 

Cuba is far enough away from Europe, 
and right in the heart of America, to absorb 
true Americanism of spirit, as evidenced by 
so many Cuban citizens in our land of 
liberty. — Florida on the west coast has 
whole colonies, settled in thrifty villages, 
manufacturing their golden products — 
tobacco, and anxiously waiting the outcome 
of this strugele in their island home. 

We have not yet reached a proper con- 


176 A FLAG FOR CUBA. 


ception of our “ manifest destiny,” a shadow 
form of which, in August, 1854, inspired the 
historically famed meeting at Ostend of our 
foreign ministers—Buchanan, Mason, and 
Soulé—setting forth the advisability of cap- 
turing Cuba (taking advantage of a time 
when the whole of Europe was _ preoc- 
cupied with the Crimean war). Prior to 
this, President James K. Polk offered Spain 
one hundred million dollars for her Cuban 
possession, which offer she peremptorily 
Felused.< = limean ~SalelyeDe = catdeslemaunl 
never again have such a rich chance. 
Yet if our government awakens-to a 
realization of its duties, Cuba may come 
to us sooner than we expect; and in posses- 
sion of her queenly glory, with the fullness 
of nature’s luxuriant and opulent gifts, our 
pride would swell, even as it did when we 
stretched our boundary from the Mississippi 
to the Pacific; and while there are many that 
hope she may be one in the bright grcup 
of stars that adorn our own peerless flag, 
the GLORIOUS: FLAG OP LIBERTY, -theresate 
many others who hope and pray for Cuba’s 
freedom from Spain's tyranny, for Cuba’s 


Metis CehORe CUBA. Le 


independence, and for the triumph of that 
brilliant emblem which floats to-day over 
two-thirds of the beautiful island, and 
which spurs the insurgent to a martyr’s 
ene wneor, to a victors laurel, that emblem 
which is 


ior SDIBERTY (FLAG FOR CUBA. 


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